BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 1260

By: Duncan

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The 46th Legislature, Regular Session, 1939, created the Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority (authority).  The duties of the board of directors of the authority are to help control, store, preserve, and distribute water of the Concho River and all the creeks that are in the district for municipal flood control, irrigation, power, and other useful purposes.  The authority is also responsible for the reclamation of soil; however, the authority has not attempted to construct a major dam due to limited funds. 

 

The authority has not been a viable entity for several years and its jurisdiction is now being controlled by other conservation districts throughout Concho County.  The board members' terms have expired, no new names have been submitted for appointment, and the authority is not subject to Sunset review.

 

S.B. 1260 abolishes the Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority and provides that any assets of the authority escheat to the state in a certain manner.

 

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.  Abolishes the Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority (authority) as of the effective date of this Act, and provides that any assets of the authority escheat to the state in the manner provided by Section 49.327 (Assets Escheat to State), Water Code.

 

SECTION 2.  Repeals Chapter 3 (Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority Created), page 1053, Special Laws, Acts of the 46th Legislature, Regular Session, 1939.

 

SECTION 3.  Provides the effective date of this Act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.