H.B. 535 78 ) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 535 By: Cook, Robby Natural Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Colorado Valley Groundwater District was created by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001 and confirmed by the voters of Fayette County. The enabling legislation called for the election of directors on the first Saturday in May of even-numbered years. However, there are no other countywide elections in Fayette County on the first Saturday in May and holding the election of directors in November on the same day the Fayette County general elections are held would greatly reduce the cost of an election to the district and taxpayers. The enabling legislation also allowed the district to change their name to more clearly describe the area served and the boundaries of the district, which they did by resolution in August 2002. This legislation would codify that change in statute. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 535 changes the name of the groundwater conservation district from the Colorado Valley Groundwater Conservation District to the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District. The bill also changes the election dates from November to May of even-numbered years and makes the directors serve staggered four-year terms. Further, the bill allows directors to serve from May to November of the year of their election. Finally, H.B. 535 provides for current directors to continue in office until successor directors are elected as provided by this legislation. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003