S.B. 1925 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1925
By: Estes
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.  S.B. 1925 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.