BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 1336

84R4991 AAF-D

By: Bonnen, Dennis (Huffman)

 

Intergovernmental Relations

 

5/12/2015

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties note that the workload of the supervisors of the Velasco Drainage District has increased significantly in recent times, due primarily to major projects required for compliance with new federal levee regulations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The parties further note that failure to comply with these new regulations would result in a downgrade of the flood insurance zone ratings for the land in the district which is within the Freeport area hurricane protection levee system. Such a downgrade would economically blight the area, which is highly developed with dense industrial plants, cities, and residential developments. The interested parties contend that due to the increased workload the supervisors are no longer fairly or adequately compensated by the current annual ceiling of $7,200 per supervisor. H.B. 1336 seeks to remedy this issue.

 

H.B. 1336 amends current law relating to fees of office for the Velasco Drainage 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 Chapter 44, Acts of the 57th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 1962, by adding Section 3A, as follows:

 

Sec. 3A. (a) Entitles a supervisor for the Velasco Drainage (supervisor; district), except as provided by Subsection (b), to receive fees of office in accordance with Section 49.060 (Fees of Office; Reimbursement), Water Code.

 

(b) Prohibits the district, notwithstanding Section 49.060(a-1) (authorizing a district, by resolution of the board, to set a limit on the fees of office that a director may receive in a year), Water Code, from setting the annual limit on the fees of office that a supervisor may receive in a year at an amount greater than $12,000.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.