BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2083

By: Darby

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Upper Colorado River Authority administers various water quality and water supply contracts and grants in addition to managing Colorado River resources for several counties. The authority is governed by a nine-member board appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate. Currently, the chair of the board also serves as the chief executive officer of the authority. Given the immense workload the board routinely faces, there have been calls to employ a general manager to serve as the authority's chief executive officer. H.B. 2083 provides for the employment of such a manager.                    

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. 2083 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to replace the person who is the chief executive officer of the Upper Colorado River Authority and who is in charge of the authority's general office from the presiding officer of the authority's board of directors to the authority's general manager. The bill authorizes the board to employ the general manager, requires the board to set the general manager's compensation, and prohibits the general manager from being a board member. The bill establishes that the general manager has the powers and duties, holds office for the term, and is subject to removal in the manner provided by the applicable bylaws.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.