Part 17. TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
Chapter 520. DISTRICT OPERATIONS
Subchapter B. REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDS OR ADMINISTER STATE PROGRAMS
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (State Board) proposes new Chapter 520, District Operations, Subchapter B, Requirements To Receive State Funds or Administer State Programs, §§520.11 - 520.13, concerning agency administration of fiscal responsibilities. Specifically, these new rules provide the agency greater oversight for the funds that are granted or provided to soil and water conservation districts and to have increased oversight for the programs that are administered by soil and water conservation districts for this agency.
Mr. Kenny Zaijcek, Fiscal Officer, State Board has determined that for the first five-year period there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of administering these new rules.
Mr. Zaijcek has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the rules will be a greater exercise of internal controls for the handling of public funds by the State Board and individual soil and water conservation districts.
There are no anticipated costs to small businesses or individuals resulting from the new rules.
Comments on the proposed new rules may be submitted in writing to Rex Isom, Executive Director, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, P.O. Box 658, Temple, Texas 76503, (254) 773-2250 ext.231.
The new rules are proposed under the Agriculture Code of Texas, Title 7, Chapter 201, §201.020, which authorizes the State Board to adopt rules that are necessary for the performance of its functions under the agriculture Code.
No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposed new rules.
§520.11.Policy Statement.
It is the policy of the State Soil and Water Conservation Board for soil and water conservation districts that receive state funds or administer programs for the state to implement internal controls for the handling of public funds and to conduct their board meetings in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
§520.12.Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) District--A soil and water conservation district created under the Agriculture Code of Texas, Chapter 201.
(2) State Board--The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board created under the Agriculture Code of Texas, Chapter 201.
§520.13.District Participation in State Board Programs.
(a) In accordance with Chapter 201, Agriculture Code of Texas, the State Board may allocate available funds to districts and may designate particular districts to administer certain programs and may adopt rules to carry out the programs.
(b) In order to be designated to administer certain programs and to receive funds and/or cost share assistance from the State Board, a district must provide evidence to the State Board that:
(1) it is conducting regularly scheduled meetings that are timely to properly handle financial and contractual obligations, and
(2) it is implementing internal controls for handling public funds that complies with Chapter 201, Agriculture Code, other applicable laws and regulations and State Board guidance documents, including the Manual of Fiscal Operations.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 4, 2007.
TRD-200702239
Mel Davis
Special Projects Coordinator
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007
For further information, please call: (254) 773-2250 x252