BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1336

By: Bonnen, Dennis

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1336 amends Chapter 44, Acts of the 57th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 1962, to entitle a supervisor of the Velasco Drainage District to receive fees of office in accordance with Water Code provisions generally governing such fees for a water district director but to prohibit the district 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.