H.B. 3623 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3623 By: Hardcastle Natural Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District (district) was created originally in 1993 and charged by the Texas Legislature with managing and conserving the groundwater resources of Haskell, Knox, and Baylor Counties. Several changes have been made during recent legislative sessions to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code that have inadvertently affected the powers of the district and impacted the ability of the district to achieve its goals. H.B. 3623 provides for adjustments to be made to the powers, financing, and fees of office for the directors of the Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District. 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 SECTION 1. Amends Section 5, Chapter 1028, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) as follows: (b) Removes the applicability of Section 36.121, Water Code, to the district. (c) Removes the applicability of Section 36.205(e), Water Code, to the district. Provides the district may assess fees under Section 36.205(c) or 36.122(e), Water Code in amounts not to exceed specific statutory caps set forth in Chapter 36, Water Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 6, Chapter 1028, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, by adding Subsection (d) to clarify that a director is not entitled to receive fees of office under Section 36.060, Water Code, if the director holds another office that is a civil office of emolument for purposes of Section 40, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; clarifies that a director may receive reimbursement of actual expenses in accordance with Section 36.060(b), and that the board of directors of the district may limit the amount of fees of office or the amount of reimbursement for actual expenses a director is entitled to receive. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect on September 1, 2003.