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House Bill 4113 |
House Author: Cohen et al. |
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Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Ellis |
House Bill 4113 amends the law to revise the boundaries and the composition of the board of directors of the Buffalo Bayou Management District. The bill also increases the threshold amount of a district contract above which competitive bidding is required.
Reason Given For Veto: "House Bill No. 4113 seeks to amend the enabling statute creating the Buffalo Bayou Management District, which is a municipal management district governed by Chapter 375, Local Government Code. The changes proposed by House Bill No. 4113 would alter the boundaries of the district, reduce the district's board of directors from 31 to nine members, and list seven new directors by name.
"Municipal management districts are intended to provide a means for municipalities to focus additional resources on specific areas or neighborhoods for improvements and revitalization. Currently, the law governing these districts applies concepts of local control under the Local Government Code. I support the use of management districts to promote and encourage employment, commerce, economic development and the public welfare.
"Under the Local Government Code, members of a district's board of directors are approved by the governing body of the municipality in which the district is located. However, House Bill No. 4113 would decrease the number of directors serving on the board of the Buffalo Bayou Management District, and specifically, would designate replacement board members by name - all without the approval from the local governing body. Similarly, House Bill No. 4113 would expand the district's territory in a manner that does not allow input from the citizens and property owners of the annexed land being brought into the management district. I support the current method of a district annexing property subject to the approval of the local governing body and the safeguards that public input provides.
"House Bill No. 4113 would usurp municipal oversight that is critical to the proper functioning of these districts and the appointment of board members and approval of boundary changes is a vital part of the municipalities' oversight responsibility. "