BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 724 By: Hegar Natural Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE H.B. 2984, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, created a requirement that in order for a person to qualify for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district (district), the person must own land within the boundaries of the district, and removed the requirement that the supervisor be a resident voter of the district. Previously, only a resident voter could serve on the board of supervisors of a district. Other similar districts, such as water control and improvement districts and municipal utility districts, require only that a director be a landowner within district boundaries. During the interim, there was a voting rights challenge by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to H.B. 2984 and the creation of a district was not pre-cleared for election by DOJ, due to concerns relating to minority voting rights. S.B. 724 requires that to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age, or to be a registered voter of the district. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the Committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 56.063(a), Water Code, to provide that except as provided by Subsection (b) (regarding being a supervisor in Denton County), to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age; or is required to be a registered voter of the district. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Provides the effective date of this Act. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
BILL ANALYSIS
S.B. 724
By: Hegar
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
S.B. 724
By: Hegar
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
H.B. 2984, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, created a requirement that in order for a person to qualify for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district (district), the person must own land within the boundaries of the district, and removed the requirement that the supervisor be a resident voter of the district. Previously, only a resident voter could serve on the board of supervisors of a district. Other similar districts, such as water control and improvement districts and municipal utility districts, require only that a director be a landowner within district boundaries.
During the interim, there was a voting rights challenge by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to H.B. 2984 and the creation of a district was not pre-cleared for election by DOJ, due to concerns relating to minority voting rights.
S.B. 724 requires that to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age, or to be a registered voter of the district.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the Committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 56.063(a), Water Code, to provide that except as provided by Subsection (b) (regarding being a supervisor in Denton County), to be qualified for election as a supervisor of a fresh water supply district, a person is required to be a resident of this state, the owner of taxable property in the district, and at least 18 years of age; or is required to be a registered voter of the district. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Provides the effective date of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.