BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1796

By: Harris

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fresh water supply districts have certain advantages over similar districts such as municipal utility districts in that fresh water supply districts are formed locally by counties instead of through legislation or the act of a state agency. These districts can also be formed in a relatively short period of time with a greater degree of local control.

Currently, road district authority is restricted to only fresh water supply districts that are located in certain counties and whose voters have approved such authority. Benefits of this authority include the construction and maintenance of public roads at a district's expense, negotiation of items in a development agreement such as bridge replacement or road maintenance, and district roads being able to exceed county standards without added cost to the surrounding community or the county budget. H.B. 1796 seeks to provide for the extension of road district authority benefits to all fresh water supply districts whose voters approve such authority.

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. 1796 amends the Water Code to expand from only those fresh water supply districts located in certain counties to any such type of district the authority for a district to be divided into two new districts and to assume by election road district authority.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.