Relating to the authority of certain special districts to use operation and maintenance ad valorem tax funds to pay the costs of contracting for or employing peace officers.

SB 1599 allows certain special districts (like water or flood control districts) to use their existing operation and maintenance property tax funds to pay for hiring or contracting peace officers. The bill amends the Water Code to explicitly include "costs of contracting for or employing peace officers" as a permitted use of these funds. This change directly affects districts that collect ad valorem taxes for maintenance purposes but need to cover security costs. The policy simplifies budgeting for these districts by expanding the scope of allowable expenses without requiring new taxes. The bill does not create new funding or change tax rates.