AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of the proposed legislation is to broaden the Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District's (district) directors' precincts in order to get candidates to run for office. The district's enabling legislation has seven directors, with four representing the commissioners' precincts, and the other three directors representing and each residing within the city limits of Columbus, Eagle Lake, and Weimer. Each of these cities have populations between 2,000 and 4,000 people, and it has been difficult finding candidates for office who live within the city limits. There have been volunteers for candidacy who live outside of the city limits, but they do not qualify. One of the directors' positions has been vacant for the past year.
The proposed legislation maintains seven directors, with four representing the commissioners precincts and three at-large positions. The only other requested change is that it is specified that the term limits apply to two "full" terms (rather than two terms, which could include partial terms) and that they are specific to a director's position.
S.B. 987 amends current law relating to the term of office and qualifications for a director of the Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District.
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 Section 8824.051(c), Special District Local Laws Code, to authorize a member of the board of directors (director) of the Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District (district) to serve only two full consecutive terms in the same position.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 8824.052(a), Special District Local Laws Code, to require the directors of the district, except as provided by Subsection (e) (relating to requiring the board of directors of the district to change the method of electing directors if territory is added to the district), to be elected in a certain manner, including that the directors for positions 5 through 7 must reside in Colorado County, rather than in the cities of Columbus, Eagle Lake, and Weimar, respectively, and are elected at large by the voters of the district.
SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by this Act does not affect the term of a director of the district serving on the effective date of this Act. Requires a director appointed to fill a vacancy occurring on or after the effective date of this Act to be appointed in accordance with Sections 8824.051(c) and 8824.052(a), Special District Local Laws Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 4. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the 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 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.