BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1130

80R2610 TAD-D                                                                                                               By: Hegar

Natural Resources

3/21/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Victoria County Navigation District (district) was established in February 1947 under the provisions of Section 59, Article 16, Texas Constitution, and various statutes existing at the time.  Since the district's inception it has been composed of a three-member board (board) appointed by the Victoria County Commissioners Court. 

The district has prospered and expanded over the years to a nearly multi-million dollar government entity, becoming an economic engine for the development of businesses and jobs in the region.  The size of the board is no longer practical because of length of term restrictions and handling the complexity of issues on a daily basis.  There is a need for a broader base of membership from the community with longer term lengths so that turnover on this board does not create a lack of knowledge of district operations.

As proposed, S.B. 1130 expands the board of the Victoria County Navigation District from three to five members.

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 A, Title 5, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 5005, as follows:

CHAPTER 5005.  VICTORIA COUNTY NAVIGATION DISTRICT

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 5005.001.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board" and "district."

[Reserves Sections 5005.002-5005.050 for expansion.]

SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD

Sec. 5005.051.  COMPOSITION OF BOARD.  Provides that the Victoria County Navigation District (district) is governed by a board of five navigation and canal commissioners (board) appointed by the Commissioners Court of Victoria County (commissioners court).

SECTION 2.  (a)  Provides that a navigation and canal commissioner of the district serving on the effective date of this Act continues to serve until the expiration of the term for which the commissioner was appointed.

(b)  Requires the commissioners court to make appointments to the board to achieve, as soon as practicable, the composition prescribed by Section 5005.051, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.