BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2983

By: Creighton

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent changes to the qualification requirements for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district included a requirement that a person own land within the boundaries of the district and removal of a requirement that the person be a resident voter of the district.  A voting rights challenge to the requirement was recently filed by the Department of Justice and the creation of a district was not pre-cleared for election due to concerns relating to minority voting rights.  H.B. 2983 seeks to address these issues by establishing provisions relating to the qualification of supervisors of a fresh water supply 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

H.B. 2983 amends the Water Code to require a person, as an alternative to being a resident of the state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age, to be a registered voter of a fresh water supply district in order to be qualified for election as a supervisor of the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.