HBA-TBM S.B. 1788 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1788
By: Bernsen
Transportation
5/16/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Sabine-Neches waterway serves all of Jefferson County, but
not all of the county is represented by the Jefferson County Navigation
District.  This lack of representation could prove deleterious to the
Jefferson County Navigation District's efforts to remain competitive with
other waterways in the state.  Restructuring the Jefferson County
Navigation District to better represent the people of Jefferson County may
be accomplished by merging the existing navigation district with a newly
created district.  Subject to a confirmation election by the population of
Jefferson County, Senate Bill 1788 creates the Jefferson County Waterway
and Navigation District and merges it with the Jefferson County Navigation
District.   

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 1788 creates the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation
District (district) subject to approval at a confirmation election (SECTION
1).  The bill sets forth the boundaries and powers of the district
(SECTIONS 3, 5, and 6).  The bill provides that the district is governed by
five navigation and canal commissioners appointed by the Jefferson County
Commissioners Court and sets forth provisions regarding the qualifications,
appointment, terms, and removal of the commissioners (SECTION 8 and 9).
The bill authorizes the commissioners court at any time to call an election
to confirm the establishment of the district, to approve the merger of the
Jefferson County Navigation District with the district, and to approve the
levy and collection of a maintenance and operations tax.  The tax may not
exceed 10 cents for each $100 valuation of taxable property in the
district.  The bill sets forth provisions regarding the procedure for the
election, the contents of the ballot, and voter approval or disapproval
(SECTION 10).  The bill sets forth provisions relating to the merger of
Jefferson County Navigation District with the district (SECTION 11).  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.