BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 3695

By: McReynolds

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, Section 49.060 of the Water Code sets a discretionary cap on the per diem amount a water board can pay its directors.  However, because these boards have so much work to do, the per diem fees do not adequately reimburse directors.  Some boards have the resources to pay their directors more, but are limited from doing so by current law. These boards are, therefore, having difficulty retaining their directors.

 

C.S.H.B. 3695 allows boards to pay directors up to $200.00 per diem for performing the duties of directors, rather than up to $150.00.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 49.060(a) and (a-1), Water Code, as follows:

 

Subsection (a). Provides an increases in the amount per diem that a water district may pay a director for performing the duties of a director from $150. to $200.

 

Subsection (a-1). Provides that a district may not set the annual limit at an amount greater than $9,600.

 

SECTION 2. Provides the effective date of this act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The committee substitute increases the annual cap that a board may pay its directors from $7,200 to $9,600.