BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1604

                                                                                                                                          By: Staples

Natural Resources

3/31/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 1604 provides clarification of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District.  The bill prohibits the district from levying any fee on a well used only for agriculture purposes within the district.  The bill also specifies that each board member serves at the pleasure of the political subdivision by which the appointment was made.

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 Section 5, Chapter 1387, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, by adding Subsection (g), to prohibit the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District (district) from assessing a fee of any type on a well if the well's production is used only for agriculture purposes within the district.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 6, Chapter 1387, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, to include Subsection (b) to require each director to serve at the pleasure of the political subdivision by which the appointment was made.  Redesignates subsection headings to make conforming changes.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.