HBA-NMO S.B. 1890 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1890
By: Madla
Natural Resources
5/14/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

S.B. 1890 provides that a person is eligible to vote in an election
conducted by the Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No.
1 (district) if the person is 18 years of age or older, a United States
citizen, an individual who holds title or an interest in title to farmland
or ranch land with the boundaries of the district, and receives and uses
irrigation water delivered by the district by and through the districts's
canal system. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Water Code, by adding Section
51.221, as follows: 

Sec. 51.221.  ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE:  MAVERICK COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1.  Defines "district."  Provides that a person is
eligible to vote in an election conducted by the district if the person is
18 years of age or older, a United States citizen, and is an individual who
holds title or an interest in title to farmland or ranch land with the
boundaries of the district, and receives and uses irrigation water
delivered by the district by and through the districts's canal system.
Provides that an eligible voter must register with the district not later
than the 30th day before a district election in order to vote in that
district election.  Requires the district to file with the county clerk of
Maverick County a certified copy of the list of the district's registered
voters not later than the 25th day before each district election. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that a person who on January 1, 2000, is not eligible
to vote in an election held by the district is not liable for any tax
imposed by the district on or after that date.  Provides that the person
continues to be liable for the payment of any tax imposed before that date
and for the person's pro rata share of any district debt existing on that
date. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.