HBA-BSM H.B. 1274 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1274 By: Seaman Natural Resources 2/19/2001 Introduced 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 1274 ratifies the creation of the Texana Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to manage Jackson 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 1274 amends law to ratify the creation of the Texana Groundwater Conservation District in Jackson County. The bill prohibits the district from levying or collecting an ad valorem tax at a rate that exceeds two cents on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the district. H.B. 1274 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. The bill sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm establishment of the district. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.