The Legislative Budget Board, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has determined the following:

Subject to a confirmation election, the bill would create the Research Valley Innovation District in Brazos County, with the powers and duties under Section 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.

1)Population- Brazos County population projection for use in the 2006 State Water Plan shows an increase from 152,415 in the year 2000 to 178,187 in 2010.

2) Location & Size- The District boundaries are coextensive with the boundaries of Brazos County.

3) Powers- The District will have the general powers and duties granted to districts under Section 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.

4) District Finances- If authorized at an election, the District may impose an ad valorem tax not to exceed 10 cents per $100 of assessed value of taxable property and to issue bonds payable from the ad valorem tax.

5) Board of Directors- The commissioners court shall appoint the directors. The directors must be a registered voter in Brazos County and not an elected official or employed by the district or Brazos County. There will be seven directors and they will serve staggered three-year terms that expire on June 1. No director may serve two consecutive terms.

6) Eminent Domain- Powers of eminent domain are not addressed in the bill.

7) Ability to Tax- If authorized at an election, the District may impose an ad valorem tax not to exceed 10 cents per $100 of assessed value of taxable property and to issue bonds payable from the ad valorem tax.

8) Ability to Exclude Property- The bill does not address exclusion of property.

9) Overlapping Services- Overlapping services were found in Brazos County. However, the District will not be providing services similar to the following list of providers: Brazos River Authority, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, Wellborn SUD, Wickson Creek SUD, Brushy WSC, Carter Lake WSC, City of Bryan, City of College Station, D & S Water Service, Nantucket LTD WWTP, O S R WSC, Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant, Wellborn SUD, and Wickson Creek SUD.

10) Adequacy of Boundary Description- The District boundaries are coextensive with the boundaries of Brazos County.

11) Comments on Powers/Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts- The District is created to further the public purpose of improving the economy of the state and Brazos County. Any funding must be approved by voters. The District may establish programs and projects and contract with nonprofits and cities to promote economic development.

12) TCEQ’s Supervision- The agency will not have general supervision and review authority over the District.

13) State Water Plan Objectives- This District has no relation to water and has no impact on State Water Plan objectives