BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 630
87R4527 SLB-D	By: Hinojosa
	Local Government
	3/26/2021
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 630 is a local bill that relates to the board of directors and administration of the Agua Special Utility District (SUD) in the Rio Grande Valley. Changes are needed to improve the transparency of Agua SUD and add uniformity to the election cycle for Agua SUD's board of directors. In 2018 and 2019, the board of directors held budget workshops on South Padre Island, which resulted in expenses totaling $13,300. Agua SUD already contracts with the Hidalgo County Elections Department, which provides Agua SUD with voting machines, poll workers, and election judges. The Agua SUD board, though, briefly discussed ways to hold an independent election in May.

 

S.B. 630 moves board elections from May to November and requires Agua SUD to contract with the Hidalgo County Elections Administrator to conduct these elections. S.B. 630 would also require the board to hold annual budget meetings within Agua SUD's boundaries.

 

As proposed, S.B. 630 amends current law relating to the election of directors and administration of the Agua Special Utility 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 Subchapter B, Chapter 7201, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 7201.0555, as follows:

Sec. 7201.0555.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. (a) Requires the Agua Special Utility District (district) to hold an election on the uniform election date in November of each even-numbered year to elect the appropriate number of directors.

(b) Requires the district to contract with the county elections administrator as provided by Subchapter D (Contract for Election Services), Chapter 31 (Officers to Administer Elections), Election Code, to conduct the election of directors.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B-1, Chapter 7201, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 7201.074, as follows:

Sec. 7201.074.  LOCATION OF CERTAIN MEETINGS.� Requires that a meeting at which the board of directors of the district or the general manager discusses the annual budget of the district be held inside the district.

SECTION 3. Requires a member of the board of directors of the district serving on the effective date of this Act to continue in office until the member's successor qualifies for office.

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: upon passage or September 1, 2021.