HBA-CBW, MPM S.B. 1764 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1764 By: Zaffirini Natural Resources 5/15/2001 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas faces a difficult challenge to develop water policies that serve both state and regional interests. The Texas Constitution authorizes the creation of groundwater conservation districts to plan, develop, and regulate the use of water. Senate Bill 1764 creates the McMullen Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to manage McMullen County's groundwater resources. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 1764 creates the McMullen County Water Conservation District (district), subject to voter approval at a confirmation election (SECTION 1). The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of five directors and sets forth provisions regarding the composition and administration of the board and the election, qualifications, and terms of the directors (SECTIONS 5-8). The bill prohibits the district from imposing an ad valorem tax at a rate in excess of five cents on the $100 valuation of taxable property in the district (SECTION 9). EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1 authorizes the board of directors of the McMullen County Water Conservation District to change the district's name when the district annexes territory.