By: Gallego H.B. No. 2816 73R2849 JD-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation, administration, powers, duties, 1-3 operations, financing, and organization of the Middle Rio Grande 1-4 Solid Waste Management District; granting the authority to issue 1-5 revenue bonds. 1-6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-7 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1-8 SECTION 1.01. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to 1-9 establish the Middle Rio Grande Solid Waste Management District as 1-10 the exclusive provider of solid waste management services within 1-11 the district. This Act does not affect a solid waste disposal or 1-12 management facility in the district on the effective date of this 1-13 Act. 1-14 SECTION 1.02. Findings and Declaration of Policy. (a) The 1-15 legislature finds that: 1-16 (1) the quality of water in the Middle Rio Grande area 1-17 is materially affected by the disposal of waste throughout the 1-18 area; 1-19 (2) a regional effort to prevent water pollution, plan 1-20 corrective and preventive measures, provide facilities for waste 1-21 disposal, and regulate waste disposal is far more effective than 1-22 efforts on a smaller scale; 1-23 (3) solid waste, as well as other waste, may impair 1-24 water quality, including by seepage or drainage; 2-1 (4) creation of the Middle Rio Grande Solid Waste 2-2 Management District would advance the established policy of the 2-3 state to maintain the quality of the water in the state consistent 2-4 with: 2-5 (A) the public health and public enjoyment; 2-6 (B) the propagation and protection of 2-7 terrestrial and aquatic life; 2-8 (C) the operation of existing industries; and 2-9 (D) the economic development of the state; and 2-10 (5) the impending shortage of water for beneficial use 2-11 in the district requires that all reasonable measures be taken to 2-12 prevent and abate water pollution and to ensure the availability of 2-13 water for beneficial use. 2-14 (b) The legislature finds that this Act is in compliance 2-15 with Article XVI, Sections 59(d) and (e), of the Texas Constitution 2-16 and that the legislature has the power and authority to enact this 2-17 Act. 2-18 (c) The legislature finds that all of the area included in 2-19 the district is benefited by the exercise of the power conferred by 2-20 this Act. 2-21 SECTION 1.03. Definitions. In this Act: 2-22 (1) "Board" means the board of directors of the 2-23 district. 2-24 (2) "Director" means a member of the board. 2-25 (3) "District" means the Middle Rio Grande Solid Waste 2-26 Management District created under this Act. 2-27 (4) "Outside the district" means the area contained in 3-1 municipalities and counties adjacent to the district. 3-2 (5) "Person" means an individual, public or private 3-3 corporation, political subdivision, governmental agency, 3-4 municipality, copartnership, association, firm, trust, estate, or 3-5 any other legal entity. 3-6 (6) "Solid waste" has the meaning assigned by Section 3-7 361.003, Health and Safety Code. 3-8 (7) "Water" means groundwater, percolating or 3-9 otherwise, lakes, bays, ponds, springs, rivers, streams, creeks, 3-10 and all other bodies of surface water, natural or artificial, that 3-11 are wholly or partially within the district. 3-12 (8) "Water pollution" means the alteration of the 3-13 physical, chemical, or biological quality of or the contamination 3-14 of water that renders the water harmful, detrimental, or injurious 3-15 to humans, animal life, vegetation, or property, or to public 3-16 health, safety, or welfare, or that impairs the usefulness or the 3-17 public enjoyment of the water for any lawful or reasonable purpose. 3-18 ARTICLE 2. CREATION OF DISTRICT; INITIAL APPOINTMENT OF BOARD 3-19 SECTION 2.01. CREATION OF DISTRICT. Pursuant to Article 3-20 XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, a conservation and 3-21 reclamation district to be known as the Middle Rio Grande Solid 3-22 Waste Management District is created as a governmental agency and 3-23 body politic and corporate of the state. 3-24 SECTION 2.02. Participation in District. (a) The 3-25 commissioners courts of Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, La Salle, 3-26 Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala counties by 3-27 resolution may include the unincorporated area of the county in the 4-1 district. 4-2 (b) The governing body of a municipality within a county 4-3 listed in Subsection (a) of this section by order may include that 4-4 municipality in the district. 4-5 (c) The commissioners court or governing body must issue the 4-6 resolution or order not later than the 60th day after the date on 4-7 which this Act takes effect. 4-8 (d) Territory annexed by a participating municipality is 4-9 included in the district on annexation. 4-10 (e) A county or municipality that elects not to participate 4-11 in the district may contract with the district for services. 4-12 ARTICLE 3. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION 4-13 SECTION 3.01. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) The district is 4-14 governed by a board of directors appointed as provided by this 4-15 section. The board may appoint an executive committee to exercise 4-16 the powers of the board under this Act. 4-17 (b) Board appointments are subject to the approval of the 4-18 Middle Rio Grande Development Council. 4-19 (c) On or after the date on which the eligible counties and 4-20 municipalities elect to participate in the district, the 4-21 commissioners court of each participating county shall each appoint 4-22 one person, the governing body of each municipality that is the 4-23 county seat of a participating county shall each appoint one 4-24 person, and the governing body of each participating municipality 4-25 with a population of 25,000 or more, according to the most recent 4-26 federal decennial census, and the commissioners court in which the 4-27 municipality is located shall jointly appoint one person to serve 5-1 as initial directors for the district. 5-2 (d) The initial directors appointed under Subsection (c) of 5-3 this section shall draw lots to determine which directors shall 5-4 serve one-year terms expiring on September 1, 1994, and which 5-5 directors shall serve two-year terms expiring on September 1, 1995. 5-6 The directors shall draw lots so that half of the directors serve 5-7 two-year terms and half serve one-year terms. If an odd number of 5-8 directors are appointed, the directors shall draw lots so that the 5-9 number of directors equal to half of the directors plus one serve 5-10 two-year terms and the remaining directors serve one-year terms. 5-11 (e) Successor directors are appointed in the same manner as 5-12 in the original appointment and serve two-year terms. 5-13 (f) A vacancy on the board is filled for the unexpired term 5-14 in the same manner as in the original appointment. 5-15 SECTION 3.02. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. (a) To be 5-16 eligible to be appointed as or to serve as a director, a person 5-17 must be: 5-18 (1) a resident of the district; and 5-19 (2) a qualified voter. 5-20 (b) Each director must execute a bond in the amount of 5-21 $5,000 with a corporate surety authorized to do business in this 5-22 state and conditioned on the faithful performance of the director's 5-23 duties and file a copy of the bond with the secretary of state and 5-24 the commissioners court of the county in which the director 5-25 resides. The district shall pay for the director's bond with 5-26 district funds. 5-27 SECTION 3.03. OATH. Each director shall file the statement 6-1 and take the constitutional oath of office required of state 6-2 officers. 6-3 SECTION 3.04. ORGANIZATION OF BOARD. (a) After each annual 6-4 appointment of directors, the board shall hold a regular meeting in 6-5 September at the district office and shall organize by electing 6-6 from the members of the board one person to serve as vice-chairman 6-7 and one person to serve as secretary. The board may elect other 6-8 officers it considers necessary. The executive committee of the 6-9 Middle Rio Grande Development Council shall appoint from the 6-10 members of the board one person to serve as chairman. 6-11 (b) Each officer serves in that capacity for a term of two 6-12 years. 6-13 (c) The chairman shall preside over meetings of the board, 6-14 and in the chairman's absence the vice-chairman shall preside. 6-15 (d) The chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary shall perform 6-16 the duties and may exercise the powers specifically given them by 6-17 this Act or by orders of the board. 6-18 SECTION 3.05. MEETING AND ACTIONS OF THE BOARD. (a) The 6-19 board shall hold a regular meeting quarterly or more often and may 6-20 meet at any other time as provided by the bylaws. 6-21 (b) A majority of the members of the board constitute a 6-22 quorum for the transaction of business of the district. 6-23 (c) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the vote of a 6-24 majority of directors is required for board action. 6-25 (d) The board shall adopt bylaws at its first meeting or as 6-26 soon after the first meeting as practicable. The board's bylaws 6-27 must prescribe the powers, duties, and procedures for removal from 7-1 a board office. 7-2 SECTION 3.06. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The laws relating to a 7-3 conflict of interest that apply to a local public official apply to 7-4 a director appointed under this Act. 7-5 SECTION 3.07. DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION. (a) A director is 7-6 entitled to receive $100 a day and reimbursement for actual and 7-7 necessary expenses incurred: 7-8 (1) for each day the director attends meetings of the 7-9 board; and 7-10 (2) for each day the director attends to the business 7-11 of the district that is authorized by board resolution or motion. 7-12 (b) A director is not entitled to receive a per diem 7-13 allowance for more than 52 days in any one calendar year. 7-14 SECTION 3.08. GENERAL MANAGER; PERSONNEL. The board may 7-15 employ a general manager and other personnel for a term and salary 7-16 set by the board. 7-17 SECTION 3.09. EMPLOYEE'S BONDS. (a) The general manager 7-18 and each employee of the district charged with the collection, 7-19 custody, or payment of any money of the district shall execute a 7-20 fidelity bond. The board shall approve the form, amount, and 7-21 surety of the bond. 7-22 (b) The district shall pay the premiums on the employees' 7-23 bonds under this section. 7-24 SECTION 3.10. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The district shall maintain 7-25 its principal office inside the district's boundaries. 7-26 SECTION 3.11. RECORDS. (a) The district shall keep 7-27 complete and accurate accounts of its business transactions in 8-1 accordance with generally accepted methods of accounting. 8-2 (b) The district shall keep complete and accurate minutes of 8-3 its meetings. 8-4 (c) The district shall maintain its accounts, contracts, 8-5 documents, minutes, and other records at its principal office. 8-6 (d) Neither the board nor its employees may disclose a 8-7 district record that relates to trade secrets or the economics of 8-8 an industry's operations. 8-9 SECTION 3.12. SUITS. The district may, through its board, 8-10 sue and be sued in any court of this state in the name of the 8-11 district. Service of process in a suit may be had by serving the 8-12 general manager or other officers appointed by the board. 8-13 SECTION 3.13. SEAL. The board shall adopt a seal for the 8-14 district and may alter the form of the seal from time to time. 8-15 ARTICLE 4. DISTRICT POWERS AND DUTIES 8-16 SECTION 4.01. GENERAL POWERS. (a) Except as otherwise 8-17 provided by this Act, the district has all the rights, powers, 8-18 privileges, authority, and functions conferred by the general law 8-19 of this state on districts created under Article XVI, Section 59, 8-20 of the Texas Constitution. 8-21 (b) If any provision of the general law is in conflict or 8-22 inconsistent with this Act, this Act prevails. Any general law not 8-23 in conflict or inconsistent with this Act is adopted and 8-24 incorporated by reference. 8-25 SECTION 4.02. REQUIREMENTS OF OTHER LAW. The district shall 8-26 comply with the licensing, monitoring, and reporting requirements 8-27 prescribed by law in connection with the collection and disposal of 9-1 solid waste. 9-2 SECTION 4.03. SPECIFIC POWERS. (a) The district has the 9-3 powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effect the purposes 9-4 and provisions of this Act, including the powers granted in this 9-5 section. 9-6 (b) The district may: 9-7 (1) own, operate, develop, control, purchase, 9-8 construct, lease, or acquire real or personal property, collection 9-9 and disposal facilities, works, systems and equipment, solid waste 9-10 disposal sites, and any other asset required or necessary, whether 9-11 previously existing or to be made, developed, constructed, or 9-12 acquired, inside or outside the boundaries of the district, that 9-13 the board finds is necessary or convenient to carry out this Act; 9-14 (2) enter into contracts with a person or entity, 9-15 public or private, on terms and conditions the board considers 9-16 desirable, fair, and advantageous to: 9-17 (A) provide for the operation, monitoring, 9-18 maintenance, professional services, employment, franchise, leasing, 9-19 development, research, marketing, distribution, and collection and 9-20 disposal of solid waste; 9-21 (B) transport, treat, and dispose of the 9-22 district's solid waste or to transport, treat, and dispose of the 9-23 solid waste of others; 9-24 (C) purchase, lease, use, manage, control, or 9-25 operate solid waste disposal and collection systems and facilities, 9-26 all or part of which may be owned by other political subdivisions 9-27 or a private business in accordance with the terms and conditions 10-1 that are mutually agreed on by the contracting parties; 10-2 (D) obtain grants or loans, plan, and make 10-3 preliminary surveys, investigations, feasibility reports, 10-4 engineering reports, and economic and environmental analyses of any 10-5 kind or character; 10-6 (3) acquire, develop, contract for, and use railroad 10-7 and water transportation facilities, incineration facilities, and 10-8 oil, natural gas, electricity, or water resources; 10-9 (4) enforce or defend by any legal proceeding the 10-10 board considers advisable any of the rights or powers granted by 10-11 this Act and the general laws of the state; 10-12 (5) enter into contracts that may be negotiated or 10-13 subject to competitive bidding if the district considers 10-14 competitive bidding desirable, fair, and advantageous to the 10-15 district; and 10-16 (6) sell or acquire license franchise, easements, real 10-17 property, or other property within or without its boundaries for 10-18 the accomplishment of its powers and purposes through its right of 10-19 purchase. 10-20 SECTION 4.04. FACILITY SPECIFICATIONS. (a) The district 10-21 may establish a standard specification for facilities that are 10-22 designed or constructed to provide for the collection and disposal 10-23 of solid waste within the district. The specifications may not 10-24 apply to a facility that is in existence on the effective date of 10-25 this Act unless the district acquires the facility. 10-26 (b) The district may seek injunctive relief against the 10-27 maintenance, operation, or construction of a solid waste disposal 11-1 or collection business, system, or facility within the district 11-2 that is not exempted by this Act or that does not meet the 11-3 standards and specifications the district has approved. 11-4 (c) The standards and specifications, when approved, may not 11-5 conflict with a licensing, monitoring, or administrative provision 11-6 prescribed by law. 11-7 SECTION 4.05. CERTAIN CONTRACTS. The district may contract 11-8 with a municipality or county for solid waste collection and 11-9 disposal without the necessity of an election by a contracting 11-10 party and without the requirement of competitive bidding. 11-11 SECTION 4.06. LIMITATION OF POWERS. The district may not: 11-12 (1) impose a tax; 11-13 (2) exercise the power of eminent domain; 11-14 (3) close an existing municipal or county disposal 11-15 site or collection facility; 11-16 (4) issue general obligation bonds; or 11-17 (5) obligate municipal or county revenues or property 11-18 for debt. 11-19 SECTION 4.07. LIABILITY OF MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY. The 11-20 district shall hold a municipality or county participating in the 11-21 district harmless from any tort or contractual liability for which 11-22 the municipality or county may be sued as a result of the district 11-23 pursuing the purposes established by this Act. 11-24 ARTICLE 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AND ABATEMENT DISTRICTS 11-25 SECTION 5.01. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The district may 11-26 establish one or more pollution control and abatement districts to 11-27 accomplish any of the powers, purposes, rights, privileges, or 12-1 authority vested in the district by this Act. 12-2 (b) The district shall establish the procedure by which a 12-3 pollution control and abatement district may be created. 12-4 SECTION 5.02. BOUNDARIES. The boundaries of a pollution 12-5 control and abatement district may include any territory within the 12-6 district with the consent of each county or municipality in which 12-7 the pollution control and abatement district is located. 12-8 SECTION 5.03. TAX. A pollution control and abatement 12-9 district may not levy a tax. 12-10 SECTION 5.04. DEBT. (a) The district may incur 12-11 indebtedness necessary to provide for a pollution control and 12-12 abatement district and for the improvements and maintenance of the 12-13 district. 12-14 (b) The district may issue revenue bonds as provided by 12-15 Article 7 of this Act for a pollution control and abatement 12-16 district. 12-17 ARTICLE 6. GENERAL FISCAL PROVISIONS 12-18 SECTION 6.01. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. The district may 12-19 disburse funds only by check, draft, order, or other instrument 12-20 signed by the person or persons authorized to do so in the board's 12-21 bylaws or by resolution of the board. 12-22 SECTION 6.02. FEES AND CHARGES. The district shall 12-23 establish fees and charges according to the conditions and 12-24 requirements established by the board. 12-25 SECTION 6.03. AUTHORITY TO BORROW. (a) The district may 12-26 borrow money for the purposes prescribed by this Act. 12-27 (b) The district may borrow money and accept grants from 13-1 private sources, the federal government, the state, and local 13-2 governments. 13-3 (c) The district may enter into any agreement in connection 13-4 with a loan or grant that does not conflict with the constitution 13-5 or laws of this state. 13-6 (d) The source of funds accepted by the district is public 13-7 information both as to amount and as to any restrictions placed by 13-8 the donor on expenditure. 13-9 SECTION 6.04. FISCAL YEAR. (a) The district operates on 13-10 the fiscal year established by the board. 13-11 (b) The fiscal year may not be changed more than once in a 13-12 24-month period. 13-13 SECTION 6.05. AUDIT BY STATE AUDITOR. (a) The board shall 13-14 keep separate books and accounts for all money received from the 13-15 state and the state auditor shall annually audit the books and 13-16 accounts so that the auditor may report to the legislature the 13-17 manner in and purpose for which the district spent money received 13-18 from the state during each fiscal year. 13-19 (b) The state auditor shall promptly make the report 13-20 required under Subsection (a) of this section and shall file a copy 13-21 of the report with the governor, the Texas Natural Resource 13-22 Conservation Commission, and the governing body of each county and 13-23 municipality included in the district. The state auditor shall 13-24 also file other copies required by law. 13-25 (c) After completing the audit and the required report, the 13-26 state auditor shall prepare a detailed statement of the actual cost 13-27 of the audit and certify the statement to the district for payment. 14-1 On receipt of the statement, the district shall pay the state 14-2 treasurer the cost of the audit. The state treasurer shall credit 14-3 the payment to the general revenue fund. 14-4 SECTION 6.06. ACCOUNTS AND INDEPENDENT AUDIT. (a) The 14-5 district shall keep a complete system of accounts. 14-6 (b) Annually, the board shall have an audit made of the 14-7 financial condition of the district prepared by an independent 14-8 certified public accountant, or a firm of independent certified 14-9 public accountants, selected by the board and of recognized 14-10 integrity and ability. 14-11 (c) The district shall pay the costs of the audit. 14-12 (d) The district shall file copies of the independent audit 14-13 with the governor, the commissioners court of each county in the 14-14 district, the city clerk of each municipality in the district, and 14-15 any other agency, commission, or authority required by law. 14-16 (e) The board shall keep at least one copy of the audit at 14-17 the offices of the district open to inspection by any interested 14-18 person during normal office hours. 14-19 SECTION 6.07. Depository. (a) The board shall name one or 14-20 more banks in the district to serve as depository for district 14-21 funds. 14-22 (b) District funds, other than those transmitted to a bank 14-23 of payment for bonds issued by the district, shall be deposited as 14-24 received with the depository bank and must remain on deposit. 14-25 (c) Before the district deposits funds in a bank in an 14-26 amount that exceeds the maximum amount secured by the Federal 14-27 Deposit Insurance Corporation, the bank must execute a bond or 15-1 provide other security in an amount sufficient to secure from loss 15-2 the district's funds that exceed the amount secured by the Federal 15-3 Deposit Insurance Corporation. 15-4 (d) If the board cannot negotiate favorable terms and 15-5 conditions for the handling of district funds with a bank in the 15-6 district, the board may designate one or more banks outside the 15-7 district on the terms and conditions the district finds to be 15-8 advantageous. 15-9 ARTICLE 7. BONDS 15-10 SECTION 7.01. AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS. The board may issue 15-11 and sell bonds in the name of the district to acquire land and 15-12 construct works and improvements and waste disposal, treatment, and 15-13 other facilities, plants, pipelines, equipment, and appliances as 15-14 provided by this Act. 15-15 SECTION 7.02. BOND PAYMENT. The board may provide for the 15-16 payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds by pledging 15-17 all or part of the designated revenues from the ownership or 15-18 operation of the district's works, improvements, and facilities. 15-19 SECTION 7.03. TERMS; FORM. (a) The district may issue its 15-20 bonds in various series or issues. 15-21 (b) Bonds may mature serially or otherwise not more than 50 15-22 years after the date of issuance and shall bear interest at a rate 15-23 permitted by state law. 15-24 (c) The district's bonds and interest coupons, if any, are 15-25 investment securities under the terms of Chapter 8, Business & 15-26 Commerce Code, and may be issued registrable as to principal or as 15-27 to principal and interest or may be issued in book entry form and 16-1 may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the 16-2 district or may contain a mandatory redemption provision. 16-3 (d) The district's bonds may be issued in the form, 16-4 denominations, and manner and under the terms, conditions, and 16-5 details and shall be signed and executed as provided by the board 16-6 in the resolution or order authorizing the bonds. 16-7 SECTION 7.04. BOND PROVISIONS. (a) In the orders or 16-8 resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds, including refunding 16-9 bonds, the board may provide for the flow of funds, the 16-10 establishment and maintenance of the interest and sinking fund, the 16-11 reserve fund, and other funds and may make additional covenants 16-12 with respect to the bonds and the pledged fees. 16-13 (b) The orders or resolutions of the board authorizing the 16-14 issuance of bonds may prohibit the further issuance of bonds or 16-15 other obligations payable from the pledged fees or may reserve the 16-16 right to issue additional bonds to be secured by a pledge of and 16-17 payable from the fees on a parity with or subordinate to the pledge 16-18 in support of the bonds being issued. 16-19 (c) The orders or resolutions of the board issuing bonds may 16-20 contain other provisions and covenants as the board may determine. 16-21 (d) The board may adopt and have executed any other 16-22 proceedings or instruments necessary and convenient in the issuance 16-23 of bonds. 16-24 SECTION 7.05. APPROVAL AND REGISTRATION. (a) Bonds issued 16-25 by the district and the records relating to their issuance must be 16-26 submitted to the attorney general for examination as to their 16-27 validity. 17-1 (b) If the attorney general finds that the bonds have been 17-2 authorized in accordance with the law, the attorney general shall 17-3 approve them, and the comptroller of public accounts shall register 17-4 the bonds. 17-5 (c) Following approval and registration, the bonds are 17-6 incontestable and are binding obligations according to their terms. 17-7 SECTION 7.06. REFUNDING BONDS. (a) Refunding bonds of the 17-8 district may be issued to refund and pay off an outstanding 17-9 indebtedness the district has issued or assumed. 17-10 (b) The bonds must be issued in the manner provided by 17-11 Chapter 784, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969 17-12 (Article 717k-3, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). 17-13 (c) The refunding bonds may be sold and the proceeds applied 17-14 to the payment of outstanding indebtedness or may be exchanged in 17-15 whole or in part for not less than a similar principal amount of 17-16 outstanding indebtedness. If the refunding bonds are to be sold 17-17 and the proceeds applied to the payment of outstanding 17-18 indebtedness, the refunding bonds must be issued and payments made 17-19 in the manner provided by Chapter 503, Acts of the 54th 17-20 Legislature, Regular Session, 1955 (Article 717k, Vernon's Texas 17-21 Civil Statutes). 17-22 SECTION 7.07. LEGAL INVESTMENTS; SECURITY FOR DEPOSITS. (a) 17-23 District bonds are legal and authorized investments for: 17-24 (1) a bank; 17-25 (2) a savings bank; 17-26 (3) a trust company; 17-27 (4) a savings and loan association; 18-1 (5) an insurance company; 18-2 (6) a fiduciary; 18-3 (7) a trustee; 18-4 (8) a guardian; and 18-5 (9) the sinking fund of a municipality, county, school 18-6 district, or other political subdivision of the state and other 18-7 public funds of the state and its agencies, including the permanent 18-8 school fund. 18-9 (b) District bonds may secure deposits of public funds of 18-10 the state or a municipality, county, school district, or other 18-11 political subdivision of the state. The bonds are lawful and 18-12 sufficient security for deposits to the extent of their value, if 18-13 accompanied by all unmatured coupons. 18-14 SECTION 7.08. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS. Bonds of the 18-15 district are considered bonds under the Bond Procedures Act of 1981 18-16 (Article 717k-6, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). 18-17 SECTION 7.09. TAX STATUS OF BONDS. Since the district 18-18 created under this chapter is a public entity performing an 18-19 essential public function, bonds issued by the district, any 18-20 transaction relating to the bonds, and profits made in the sale of 18-21 the bonds are free from taxation by the state or by a municipality, 18-22 county, special district, or other political subdivision of the 18-23 state. 18-24 ARTICLE 8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 18-25 SECTION 8.01. TRANSITION. The reference in Section 6.05 of 18-26 this Act to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission 18-27 means the Texas Water Commission until the name of the Texas Water 19-1 Commission is changed to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation 19-2 Commission as provided by Section 1.085, Chapter 3, Acts of the 19-3 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1991. 19-4 SECTION 8.02. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 19-5 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 19-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 19-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 19-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 19-9 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 19-10 passage, and it is so enacted.