HBA-KDB H.B. 2529 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2529
By: Junell
Natural Resources
77/20/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge in developing 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 2529 ratifies the creation of the
Lonewolf Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a
confirmation election, to manage Mitchell 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 2529 amends law to ratify the creation of the Lonewolf
Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Mitchell County, subject to
voter approval at a confirmation election.  The bill provides that the
district is governed by a board of five directors and sets forth provisions
regarding  the appointment, administration, and operation of the board and
the election, qualification, and terms of the directors. 

The bill authorizes the district to levy property taxes at a rate not to
that exceed 20 cents on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the
district to pay any of the bonds or notes issued by the district if the
authority to tax is approved at an election.  The bill sets forth
provisions regarding an election to confirm the establishment of the
district, and validates and confirms all past acts of the district. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.