SRC-JEC S.B. 1168 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1168
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
6/15/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a county has the ability to assess taxes for the purpose of
building flood control projects. However, there is no authority for a
commissioners court to hold an election to raise the taxes for use in a
specific project.  S.B. 1168 grants counties the authority to conduct such
an election. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 411, Local Government Code, by adding Section
411.009, as follows: 

Sec. 411.009.  REFERENDUM ON FLOOD CONTROL TAX AND PROJECTS FUNDED.  (a)
Authorizes the commissioners court of a county to order a referendum on
whether flood control taxes should be increased, decreased, or an existing
or proposed flood control project should receive funding. 

(b)  Requires the ballot for a referendum under this section to be printed
to permit voting for or against one or more of stated propositions. 

(c)  Provides that if a majority of votes cast in the referendum approve an
increase in the flood control tax, the tax is increased.  Provides that the
tax is decreased if a majority approve a decrease in the flood control tax.
Provides that a flood control project for which a majority of the votes
cast at the referendum do not approve funding is prohibited from receiving
funds from revenue generated by the flood control tax. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.