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.