HBA-NMO H.B. 2926 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2926 By: Walker Natural Resources 7/22/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE State law authorizes the consolidation of two or more groundwater conservation districts (districts) into one district. Prior to the 76th Legislature, the law conditioned consolidation on the agreement of all districts concerned and required the holding of a confirmation election in each district in which the consolidation results in additional taxing or bonding authority. However, the district that did not initiate the consolidation generally did not experience change in its taxing or bonding authority. H.B. 2926 requires the board of a district, in order to initiate consolidation, to adopt a resolution proposing consolidation and deliver a copy of the resolution to the board of each district with which the consolidation is proposed. This bill also provides that an election to ratify the consolidation is only required in each district that initiates consolidation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 36.351(a), Water Code, require the board of a groundwater conservation district (district), in order to initiate a consolidation, to adopt a resolution proposing a consolidation and deliver a copy of the resolution to the board of each district with which consolidation is proposed. This subsection authorizes two or more districts to consolidate into one district. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 36.354(a), (b), and (d), Water Code, to provide that an election to ratify the consolidation is required in each district that initiates consolidation. Provides that an election is not required in a district that does not initiate consolidation. Deletes language that excepts districts, by meeting certain requirements, from a ratifying election. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.