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Senate Bill 978 |
Senate Author: Hinojosa |
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Effective: Vetoed |
House Sponsor: Gonzales, Veronica |
Senate Bill 978 establishes procedures for the dissolution of the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 that apply to the district and a municipality that has a population greater than 100,000 and contains within its boundaries more than half of the district's territory. The bill authorizes such a municipality to adopt an ordinance as prescribed by the bill allowing the municipality to accept a transfer of the district's obligations, liabilities, and assets, and it provides that the district is dissolved on the later of the effective date of the bill or the date that a transfer ordinance takes effect. The dissolution procedures also provide for a petition by voters, suspension or repeal of an ordinance, and an election.
Reason Given for Veto: "Senate Bill 978 would allow the entire City of McAllen and members of Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 to vote for the dissolution of the district. This bill puts the district at a clear disadvantage because the overwhelming majority of votes would come from outside the boundaries of the district, effectively allowing the city to take the district's water rights and property. This would set a troubling precedent."