Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1053	House Author:  Guillen
Effective:  Vetoed	Senate Sponsor:  Lucio

            House Bill 1053 amends the law and the Special District Local Laws Code to revise provisions relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Willacy County Navigation District. Among other provisions, the bill authorizes the district to sell, exchange, or lease real property or any interest in owned real property and to donate, exchange, convey, sell, or lease land, improvements, easements, or any other interests in real property to promote certain projects for less than fair market value and without complying with applicable notice and bidding requirements. The bill expands the powers and duties of the Port of Harlingen Authority, including authorizing the authority to impose a property tax.

 

Governor's Reason for Veto: "House Bill 1053 has two fatal flaws:

"First, it would exempt the Willacy County Navigation District from competitive bidding requirements applicable to all other navigation districts, allowing it to donate, exchange, convey, sell, or lease a real property interest for less than reasonable market value and without providing public notice. This exception to the general laws of our State would unnecessarily undermine the tenets of transparency.

"Second, it would authorize the Port of Harlingen Authority to impose an ad valorem tax. The end‑of‑session addition of this power was not properly vetted through the legislative process and did not receive a public hearing. While likely not the intent of this bill's author or sponsor, this would set a bad example for how special districts can evade statutory and legislative oversight in the future."