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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Hegar |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1 (district) was established in 1940. Since it was first established, the board of navigation and canal commissioners of the district (board) has been composed of three board members. Originally the board members were appointed by the Matagorda county commissioners. In 1996, a change was made to have the board elected by the citizens of Matagorda Co unty.
The district is home to the Port of Palacios. Its diverse industries contribute to a multi-million dollar business environment. It has become an economic engine for the development of business and creation of new jobs in the region. It is important to broaden membership to further incorporate the community and to retain enough members with experience in the operations of the district.
As proposed, S.B. 2480 provides that the district is governed by a board of five members. The bill provides that members of the board (commissioners) serve staggered six-year terms and requires that an election be held on the uniform election date in November to elect one or two commissioners.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 5, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 5006, as follows:
CHAPTER 5006. MATAGORDA COUNTY NAVIGATION DISTRICT NO. 1
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 5006.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "commissioner," and "district."
[Reserves Sections 5006.002-5006.050 for expansion.]
SUBCHAPTER B. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 5006.051. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS; TERM; ELECTION. (a) Provides that the Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1 (district) is governed by a board of navigation and canal commissioners of the district (board) consisting of five members of the board (commissioners) elected at large.
(b) Provides that commissioners serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of one or two commissioners expiring on November 30 of each even-numbered year.
(c) Requires that an election be held in the district every two years on the uniform election date in November to elect one or two commissioners.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires the board of the district, notwithstanding Section 5006.051, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act, on the uniform election date in November 2010, to hold an election to elect one commissioner to serve a term expiring November 30, 2014, and two commissioners to serve terms expiring November 30, 2016.
(b) Requires the board of the district, on the uniform election date in November of each even-numbered year after 2010, to hold an election to elect the appropriate number of commissioners to serve six-year terms.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2009.