SRC-MWN S.B. 1630 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1630
77R5753 QS-FBy: Wentworth
Natural Resources
4/2/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Constitution authorizes the creation of groundwater conservation
districts to plan, develop, and regulate the use of water. As proposed,
S.B. 1630 creates the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, subject
to approval at a confirmation election, to manage Cow Creek's groundwater
resources. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Cow Creek Groundwater
Conservation District in SECTION 11 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. RATIFICATION OF CREATION. Sets forth provisions regarding the
creation of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District (district). 

SECTION 2. DEFINITION. Defines "district," "retail public utility," and
"well." 

SECTION 3. BOUNDARIES. Sets forth boundaries of the district.

SECTION 4. GENERAL POWERS. Sets forth provisions regarding the powers of
the district. 

SECTION 5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Sets forth the composition of the board of
directors of the district (directors). 

SECTION 6. METHOD OF ELECTING DIRECTORS: SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS. Sets
forth provisions regarding election and qualification of the board of
directors. 

SECTION 7. TEMPORARY DIRECTORS. Sets forth guidelines regarding temporary
directors. 

SECTION 8. CONFIRMATION AND INITIAL DIRECTORS' ELECTION. Sets forth
provisions regarding the holding of an election to confirm the
establishment of the district and to elect initial directors. 

SECTION 9. TERMS OF OFFICE OF INITIAL DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions
regarding terms of office of initial directors. 
 
SECTION 10. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions regarding the
election of regular directors. 

SECTION 11. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY. Authorizes the district to perform
certain actions. 

SECTION 12. PROHIBITED ACTS. Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited
acts by the district. 
 
SECTION 13. VALIDATION. Sets forth provisions regarding the validation of
the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. 

SECTION 14. FINDINGS RELATED TO PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS. Provides proper
and legal notice of the intention of this Act has been published and
furnished to certain persons and entities. 

SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION DATE. (a) Provides that if the
district is not confirmed by September 1, 2003, this Act expires.  

 (b) Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.