SRC-JLB S.B. 615 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 615
78R1326 SGA-DBy: Janek
Natural Resources
3/4/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The City of Galveston, having coextensive boundary lines with the
Galveston County Navigation District No. 1 (district), and other
governmental units cover an entire island, but because of population
growth and development, the district would like to extend its boundaries.
As proposed, S.B. 615 requires an election to confirm such an annexation
by the district. 

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.  DEFINITION.  Defines "district." 

SECTION 2.  EXTENSION OF BOUNDARIES.  Provides that subject to a
confirmation election held as provided by Section 4 of this Act, the
boundaries of the district are extended to include all areas that, on the
effective date of this Act, are within the geographical boundaries of the
city of Galveston, the city of Jamaica Beach, and Galveston Island State
Park and the unincorporated areas within the Galveston County Municipal
Utility District No. 1-Pirates Beach. 
 
SECTION 3.  FINDING OF BENEFIT.  Provides that all of the land and other
property included within the boundaries of the district as extended by
this Act will be benefitted by the works and projects that are to be
accomplished by the district under powers conferred by Section 59, Article
XVI, Texas Constitution.  Provides that the district is created to serve a
public use and benefit. 
 
SECTION 4.  CONFIRMATION ELECTION; ORDER OF ANNEXATION.  

(a) Requires the board of navigation and canal commissioners of the
district to call and hold an election to confirm the extension of the
boundaries of the district under Section 2 of this Act. 
 
(b) Requires the board of navigation and canal commissioners to conduct
the election as provided by Sections 63.376-63.379, Water Code, except as
provided by certain guidelines. 

(c) Authorizes the board of navigation and canal commissioners to order
the election held on the date of the general election of state and county
officers, jointly with the general election, in the manner provided by
Section 63.0895, Water Code. 

(d) Provides that on and after the entry of the order required by
Subsection (b)(3) of this section, the annexed territory is a part of the
district for all purposes. 

(e) Provides that before the entry of the order required by Subsection
(b)(3) of this section certain guidelines exist. 
 
 (f) Provides that if the order required by Subsection (b)(3) of this
section is not entered before the fifth anniversary of the effective date
of this Act, this Act expires. 
 
SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1,
2003.