HBA-JEK H.B. 3659 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3659 By: Counts Natural Resources 4/4/2001 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 3659 creates the Wes-Tex Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to manage groundwater resources in Nolan County. 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 3659 creates the Wes-Tex Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Nolan County, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of nine directors and sets forth provisions regarding the composition of the board, the terms, qualifications, and election of the directors, as well as the names of the five temporary directors. The bill sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm the establishment of the district. H.B. 3659 authorizes the board to impose taxes annually to pay the maintenance and operating expenses of the district at a rate not to exceed three cents on each $100 of assessed valuation. The bill provides that the district does not have the power to: acquire land; purchase, sell, transport, or distribute surface water or groundwater; issue bonds; or exercise eminent domain authority. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.