SRC-TJG H.B. 839 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 839
78R7987 QS-DBy: Howard (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
4/11/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As members of water district boards, board members are often in charge of
awarding large contracts and reviewing bids on various projects.
Currently, board members may legally leave the board and immediately
become employed by companies under contract with the board or work as a
contractor for the district.  H.B. 839 prohibits a person who has served
as a director of a district from contracting with the district or being
employed by organizations which have been awarded contracts by the
district for one year after leaving the board. 

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 Subchapter C, Chapter 49, Water Code, by adding Section
49.072, as follows: 

Sec. 49.072.  LIMITATION ON FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.  (a) Prohibits a person who
has served as a director of a district from contracting with that district
or being employed by an organization to which the district has awarded a
contract for one year following the date on which the person ceased to
serve as a director. 

(b) Provides that this section does not apply to a person who has served
as director of a district that performs agricultural irrigation functions
under Chapter 51 (Water Control and Improvement Districts), 55 (Water
Improvement Districts), or 58 (Irrigation Districts) if the person, when
serving as director, was required to own land as a qualification for
office. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.