BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2569
81R28576 HLT-D By: Lucio
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Willacy County Navigation District (district) was created in 1948 to take advantage of the Port of Mansfield's location on the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The district provides or oversees a number of governmental functions such as water distribution, sanitary sewer and solid waste collection, and subdivision development.
The district has grown and now encompasses the communities of Port Mansfield, San Perlita, La Sara, and the City of Raymondville. The district's functions and population has grown considerably, and the Commissioners Court of Willacy County has expressed interest in expanding the number of board members from three to five members to better represent the entirety of the district.
As proposed S.B. 2569 increases the number of district board members from three to five members, serving four-year staggered terms. The bill provides that four board members will be elected from single-member districts and the fifth will be elected from the district at-large.
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 404, Acts of the 53rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1953, by adding Sections 1A, 1B, and 1C, as follows:
Sec. 1A. Defines "board," "commissioner," and "district."
Sec. 1B. (a) Requires the board of navigation and canal commissioners of the district (board) to divide the territory of the Willacy County Navigation District (district) into four numbered single-member districts for electing commissioners.
(b) Authorizes the board to revise the single-member districts as necessary or appropriate.
(c) Provides that the board consists of five commissioners. Provides that one commissioner is elected from each single-member district, and one commissioner is elected from the district at large.
(d) Provides that commissioners serve staggered four-year terms.
Sec. 1C. Requires the board to hold an election to elect the appropriate number of commissioners on the uniform election date in November of each odd-numbered year.
SECTION 2. (a) Defines "board," "commissioner," and "district."
(b) Requires the board, not later than June 1, 2010, to divide the territory of the district into four numbered single-member districts as required by Section 1B, Chapter 404, Acts of the 53rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1953, as added by this Act. Requires the board, at that time, to adopt a resolution specifying the single-member district positions that will be elected in 2011 and 2013.
(c) Requires a commissioner of the district who is serving on the day before the effective date of this Act to serve until the commissioner's term expires.
(d) Requires the board, on the uniform election date in November 2009, to hold an election to elect one at-large commissioner to a term of four years.
(e) Requires the board, on the uniform election date in November 2011, to hold an election to elect two commissioners from single-member districts as provided by the resolution adopted under Subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Requires the board, on the uniform election date in November 2013, to hold an election to elect two commissioners from single-member districts and one at-large commissioner as provided by the resolution adopted under Subsection (b) of this section.
SECTION 3. (a) Provides that the legal notice of the intention to introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies, officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished under Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources and Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts), Article XVI (General Provisions), Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313 (Notice for Local and Special Laws), Government Code.
(b) Provides that the governor, one of the required recipients, has submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
(c) Provides that TCEQ has filed its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives within the required time.
(d) Provides that all requirements of the constitution and laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.