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.