BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 5355

By: Price

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

In August 2022, Governor Abbott announced that Producer Owned Beef, LLC would create a new beef processing plant in Amarillo. According to the press release issued by the governor at the time, the plant will harvest 3,000 cattle per day and sell beef and beef byproducts both in and out of Texas, while creating more than 1,500 new jobs and generating $670 million in capital investment. To facilitate the launching of the facility, a municipal management district is needed. The creation of a municipal management district for the facility will reduce the cost of capital and attract additional investment for necessary infrastructure, including waste water treatment, rail siding, and rendering facility. Accordingly, H.B. 5355 seeks to create the Prairie View Municipal Management District No. 1 to own and assist in financing the necessary infrastructure.

 

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. 5355 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Prairie View Municipal Management District No. 1 to provide certain improvements, projects, and services for public use and benefit, including rail facilities. The bill provides for, among other provisions, the addition or exclusion of land by the district, the disbursement or transfer of district money, and the dissolution of the district on written petition. The district's powers and duties include, subject to certain requirements, including municipal consent under certain circumstances, the authority to issue assessments and obligations and impose property and operation and maintenance taxes. The bill prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.