HBA-LJP H.B. 3543 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3543
By: Hilderbran
Natural Resources
7/18/2001
Enrolled



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.  The Headwaters Underground Water Conservation
District was created by the Texas Legislature in 1991 to oversee the
groundwater issues in Kerr County.  House Bill 3543 renames the Headwaters
Underground Water Conservation District as the Headwaters Groundwater
Conservation District (district) and provides for other modifications to
conform the district with other groundwater districts. 

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 3543 amends law to modify the name of the Headwaters Underground
Water Conservation District to the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation
District (district).  The bill authorizes, rather than requires, the
district to contract with Kerr County or certain river authorities for
services available from the county or river authority. 

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

The bill sets forth provisions regarding the implementation of this Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 16, 2001.