HBA-BSM H.B. 1136 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1136
By: Cook
Natural Resources
77/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge to develop water policies that serve
state and regional interests.  The Texas Constitution authorizes the
creation of groundwater conservation districts to plan, develop, and
regulate the use of water.  House Bill 1136 creates the Post Oak
Groundwater Conservation District in Colorado County, subject to approval
at a confirmation election, to manage the county's groundwater resources. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1136 creates the Post Oak Groundwater Conservation District
(district) in Colorado County (SECTION 1). The bill authorizes the district
subject to voter approval, to pay the maintenance and operating costs of
the district and to pay any bonds or notes issued by the district,  impose
a stipulated ad valorem tax, assess fees, and solicit and accept grants
(SECTION 12).  The bill requires the district  to perform certain duties
and coordinate with adjacent districts to provide regional cooperation and
continuity in groundwater resource management (SECTION 6). 

H.B. 1136 provides that the district is governed by a board of seven
directors and sets forth provisions regarding the composition and
administration of the board, and the election, qualifications and terms of
the directors (SECTIONS 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11).  The bill also sets forth
provisions regarding an election to confirm the establishment of the
district (SECTION 10). 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.