HBA-LJP H.B. 2046 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2046
By: Hawley
Natural Resources
3/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge to develop water policies that serve both
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 2046 ratifies the creation of the
Refugio Groundwater Conservation District (district), subject to voter
approval at a confirmation election. 

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 2046 ratifies the creation of the Refugio Groundwater
Conservation District (district), subject to voter approval at a
confirmation election. 

The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of directors and
sets forth provisions regarding the administration of the board and the
election, qualifications, and terms of the directors.  The bill provides
that the board is composed of five members, one from each of the county
commissioners precincts and one member from the entire district.  The bill
sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm the establishment of
the district. 

The bill requires the district by rule to prohibit the sale of groundwater
outside the district and prohibits the district from forbidding the sale of
groundwater outside the district by Refugio County. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.