HBA-BSM H.B. 3095 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3095 By: Counts Natural Resources 7/25/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stonewall County contains several tributaries, including the Salt Croton Creek, that flow into the Salt Fork of the Brazos River and serve as major contributors to the salt content of the Brazos River. The salt loads of the creek come predominantly from seeps and springs in Stonewall and King Counties. Further studies of the area are needed to provide recommendations for various methods to control salt intrusion and improve water quality in the area. The 76th Legislature in 1999 created the Salt Fork Water Quality District to help address this problem. The district is not a taxing authority, and its main purpose has been to provide for a governmental entity that can oversee the implementation of some feasibility studies regarding the salt content in local creeks. Currently, there has been no other action taken by the district, and it has become burdensome to require an election for a board of directors. House Bill 3095 authorizes the Salt Fork Water Quality District to operate with a board appointed by the Commissioners Court of Stonewall County rather than an elected board and enter into intergovernmental contracts. 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 3095 amends law to provide that the Salt Fork Water Quality District board of directors is to be appointed by the Commissioners Court of Stonewall County and repeals provisions regarding the election of directors. The bill sets forth provisions for the terms of the initial directors. The bill requires the Commissioners Court to appoint a director at the expiration of a term, and if a vacancy occurs, the commissioners court is required to appoint a director for the remainder of the term. The bill provides that a person must be a registered voter in Stonewall County to be eligible to serve as a director. H.B. 3095 authorizes the district to enter into a specified agreement with a state agency, political subdivision, of the state, or other governmental entity for the purposes of the district without advertising, sealed bids, or similar procedures. The bill provides that these agreements may be for an exchange of goods, services, or commodities, such as an exchange of natural gas for salt, with or without cash payments, if the parties agree. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.