BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 5404

By: Wilson

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that undeveloped land located within the City of Jarrell would benefit from the creation of a municipal utility district. C.S.H.B. 5404 seeks to address the lack of municipal services in this area by providing a means for the developer of the property to create such a district to finance the water, sewer, drainage, and roadway infrastructure to serve the property and to connect the property to city roadway and utility 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

C.S.H.B. 5404 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Williamson County Municipal Utility District No. 49, subject to municipal consent and voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects. The bill authorizes the district, subject to certain requirements, to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill expressly prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain if the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 5404 differs from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.