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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Hegar |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
H.B. 2984, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, created a requirement that in order for a person to qualify for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district (district), the person must own land within the boundaries of the district, and removed the requirement that the supervisor be a resident voter of the district. Previously, only a resident voter could serve on the board of supervisors of a district. Other similar districts, such as water control and improvement districts and municipal utility districts, require only that a director be a landowner within district boundaries.
During the interim, there was a voting rights challenge by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to H.B. 2984 and the creation of a district was not pre-cleared for election by DOJ, due to concerns relating to minority voting rights.
S.B. 724 requires that to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age, or to be a registered voter of the district.
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 Section 56.063(a), Water Code, to provide that except as provided by Subsection (b) (regarding being a supervisor in Denton County), to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age; or is required to be a registered voter of the district. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Provides the effective date of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.