BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 260 By: Leedom (Jones, Jesse) 03-15-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Senate Bill 1409, Acts of the 72nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1991, amended Chapter 402C, Local Government Code, to authorize municipal drainage utilities to bill only properties that receive water, wastewater, or electrical utility service from the municipality ("benefitted properties"). The definition excluded charges to developed properties such as parking lots, which generally receive electrical service, but not water or wastewater service. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 260 makes definition changes to existing law relating to municipal drainage utility systems. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 402.044, Local Government Code, by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (10) and (11), as follows: (1) Defines "benefitted property." (10) Defines "improved lot or tract." (11) Defines "wholly sufficient and privately owned drainage system." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1 adds definition for "benefitted property" in a municipality of more than 1,000,000 population and operating a draining utility system. Committee Amendment No. 2 makes Subchapter C, amended by the bill, applicable to territory outside corporate limits of municipalities with 400,000 population or more in a county or counties of less than 600,000 population only if property receives municipal utilities and drainage service. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 260 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on February 27, 1995. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Rep. Jones. The bill was left pending. It was taken up in a public hearing on March 13, 1995. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Rep. Jones. The committee considered 2 amendments to the bill. Both of those amendments were adopted without objection. The bill was reported favorably, as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 2 absent.