BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4505

By: Morales Shaw

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State law currently authorizes only small and medium-sized counties with a population of less than 400,000 to create a county development district, the purpose of which is to incentivize development of public improvements in the public interest that will ultimately attract visitors and promote tourism. Larger counties exceeding this population cap do not have the necessary statutory authority to create such a district that would provide the same opportunity to make public improvements, spur economic development, and attract visitors and promote tourism. H.B. 4505 seeks to address this issue by removing this population cap, thereby authorizing all counties in Texas, regardless of population size, to create a county development 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. 4505 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of any county to commence the creation of a county development district on petition of the owners of land in a proposed district. The bill makes related changes in provisions setting out legislative intent and findings with respect to county development districts.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.