|
House Bill 4827 |
House Author: Coleman |
|
Effective: 6-19-09 |
Senate Sponsor: Ellis |
House Bill 4827 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Harris County Improvement District No. 20. The district may exercise the powers of a municipal management district, a Type B development corporation, a housing finance corporation, a road district, and a road utility district, as well as certain powers of a municipal utility district and water districts generally. The district may contract for law enforcement and security services. It may adopt property taxes, assessments, and impact fees, and may pursue public transit and parking facilities supported by associated fees, charges, and tolls, including a joint transit or parking facility in conjunction with a rapid transit authority. Pursuit of a transit system, however, is contingent on the request by petition of specified property owners, and the adoption of a maintenance tax or the issuance of bonds payable from property taxes requires voter approval. Additionally, the district must obtain approval of the City of Houston for the issuance of a bond for an improvement project, the plans and specifications of such project, and plans and specifications related to the use of certain land, easements, or rights-of-way. Bonds issued to finance parks and recreational facilities are limited to one percent of the assessed value of the district's real property. The bill prohibits the district from imposing an impact fee or assessment on a gas or electric utility, a power generation company, or certain providers of telecommunications services. However, it authorizes the district to impose an assessment to pay a cost associated with the use of electrical or optical lines, and to acquire, operate, or charge fees for the use of district conduits for another party's electronic transmission line, fiber-optic cable, or telecommunications network. The district may acquire air rights and may construct related improvements. It is prohibited from exercising the power of eminent domain.