H.B. 3556 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3556 By: Campbell Natural Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently the Sterling County Underground Water Conservation District and the Irion County Water Conservation District are governed by the same general manager. Since both districts share similar concerns for groundwater management and must work together toward that end, consolidation of the districts has been discussed. HB 3556 lays the groundwork for that consolidation. 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 HB 3556 provides language to facilitate consolidation of Sterling County Underground Water Conservation District and Irion County Water Conservation District. It states that in an event of annexation or consolidation with another district, the board of directors of the district shall determine the composition of the board in an equitable manner. It provides language that allows a director from the county commissioner's precinct to live outside of that precinct if the composition of the board is changed by annexation or consolidation. It changes the date of the election of directors from the third Saturday in May to the uniform election day in May, and dismisses the requirement that the board meet monthly. It makes requirements for appointments of a district treasurer and secretary for the district, for studies and surveys by engineers, and for research projects to be created by the district permissive. The bill also allows the district to change its name if land is annexed or consolidated. Finally, HB 3556 makes conforming changes to language concerning the term "groundwater" and the Texas Water Code. EFFECTIVE DATE The Act takes effect upon passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect on September 1, 2003.