BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1579

81R4018 JTS-D                                                               By: Gonzales, Martinez, "Mando" (Lucio)

                                                                                                         International Relations & Trade

                                                                                                                                            5/12/2009

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In the summer of 2008, parts of Hidalgo County suffered immense flooding during and after Hurricane Dolly. The flooding affected some of the poorest areas of the county, including several colonias, where residents experienced high water levels in their homes and on their roads for several weeks after the storm. While the county was able to pump water from most neighborhoods, the county was not authorized to remove the water from some colonias, where the residents lived on private roads. The flooding damaged residents' homes and properties and created unsafe roads and unsanitary conditions because of large amounts of stagnant water providing a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

 

H.B. 1579 amends current law relating to a county's removal of flood water resulting from a natural disaster in certain communities.

 

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 Chapter 561, Local Government Code, by adding Section 561.010, as follows:

 

Sec.  561.010.  PROVISION OF FLOOD RELIEF TO COLONIAS. (a) Defines  "colonia."

 

(b)  Authorizes a county to provide assistance for the removal from private property, including a road, of flood water resulting from a natural disaster in a colonia if the removal of the water is necessary to protect the health and safety of the colonia.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.