BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4454

By: Guillen

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Willacy County Drainage District No. 2 is a drainage district created by the Texas Legislature in the 1960s. While the district exists for the sole purpose of drainage, it is vested with the rights, powers, privileges, and duties conferred and imposed by the general laws applicable to fresh water supply districts. The district does not supply, transport, or distribute fresh water, and therefore an update to state law is needed to reflect the district's actual responsibilities. H.B. 4454 provides for this update by changing the district's general powers and duties from those of a fresh water supply district to those of a drainage district.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 4454 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to change the general powers and duties of the Willacy County Drainage District No. 2 from those of a fresh water supply district to those of a drainage district created under specified provisions of the Texas Constitution. The bill expressly does not affect the district's authority to impose taxes or issue bonds.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.