BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 547

79R195 RCJ-F                                                                                                                   By: Madla

                                                                                                               Intergovernmental Relations

                                                                                                                                              3/2/2005

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The El Paso County Water Improvement District No 1. is governed by a five-member board of directors (board).  The directors are elected by registered voters within the district's boundaries, and serve four-year terms.

 

Currently, a registered voter does not have to own land with water rights, irrigate, or pay water right taxes in order to qualify to vote, as long as the voter lives within the District's boundaries.  Thus, persons who are not necessarily affected by the decisions or actions of the board can determine the membership of the board.  Furthermore, people who own land with water rights, pay water right taxes and irrigate, but who do not live within the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, are not qualified to vote.

     

As proposed, S.B. 547 requires that in order to qualify as a voter of the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, a person must own land with water rights, irrigate, and pay water right taxes. 

 

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.  Amends Subtitle J, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 9303, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 9303.  EL PASO COUNTY WATER

IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1

 

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

            Sec. 9303.001.  DEFINTIONS.  Defines "district."

 

[Reserves Sections 9303.002-9303.050 for expansion.]

 

SUBCHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

 

            Sec. 9303.051.  VOTER ELIGIBILITY.  Provides that an individual is eligible to vote in a district election only if the individual meets certain requirements. 

 

            Sec. 9303.052.  ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER. (a) Requires an individual, to be eligible for registration as a voter in the district, to meet certain requirements.

 

                        (b) Provides that to vote in a district election, an individual eligible to vote under Section 9303.051 must register with the district no later than 60th day before the date on which the district election is held.

 

                        (c) Requires the district to file with the county clerk of El  Paso County a certified copy of the list of the district's registered voters no later than the 25th day before the date on which a  district election is held.    

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.