HBA-BSM H.B. 2643 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2643 By: Morrison Natural Resources 7/19/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas faces a difficult challenge in developing 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 2643 creates the Crossroads Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to manage Victoria 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 2643 amends law to ratify the creation of the Crossroads Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Victoria County, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of seven directors, sets forth provisions regarding the composition and administration of the board and the election, qualifications, and terms of the directors, and designates the temporary directors. 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. The bill sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm establishment of the district. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.