AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 168 changes the term expiration date of the board of directors of the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District (board). Current law states that terms expire on June 1 of each even-numbered year. S.B. 168 changes this expiration date to the date of the first board meeting following the November election in even-numbered years.
This bill also adjusts the election date of the board from May of even-numbered years to November of even-numbered years. By changing the election month from May to November, the election will coincide with the November general election, thus increasing voter participation.
S.B. 168 amends current law relating to the election of members of the board of directors of the Central Texas 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 8810.051(b), Special District Local Laws Code, to provide that members of the board of directors of the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District (board) (district) serve staggered four-year terms, with two or three directors' terms expiring at the first meeting of the board after the November election in even-numbered years and after the board has canvassed the votes and the newly elected directors have qualified for office and taken the constitutional oath, rather than to provide that directors serve staggered four-year terms with two or three directors' terms expiring June 1 of each even-numbered year.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 8810.053, Special District Local Laws Code, to require the district to hold an election to elect the appropriate number of directors on the uniform election date prescribed by Section 41.001 (Uniform Election Dates), Election Code, in November, rather than May, of each even-numbered year.
SECTION 3. Requires a director who is serving on the day before the effective date of this Act to serve until the director's term expires. Requires a director whose term expires in May 2014 to continue to serve until the director's successor has qualified for office and taken the constitutional oath following the directors' election held on November 4, 2014, in accordance with Sections 8810.051 (Directors; Terms) and 8810.053 (Election Date), Special District Local Laws Code, as amended by this Act. Requires a director whose term expires in May 2016 to continue to serve until the director's successor has qualified for office and taken the constitutional oath following the directors' election held on November 8, 2016.
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: September 1, 2013.