By Dukes                                              H.B. No. 3133
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the creation, administration, powers, duties,
    1-3  operation, and financing of the Travis County Airport Authority;
    1-4  granting the authority to issue bonds; and granting the power of
    1-5  eminent domain.
    1-6        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-7                    ARTICLE 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
    1-8        SECTION 1.01.  DEFINITIONS.  In this Act:
    1-9              (1)  "Authority" means the Travis County Airport
   1-10  Authority.
   1-11              (2)  "Board" means the board of directors of the
   1-12  authority.
   1-13              (3)  "City council" means the city council of the city
   1-14  of Austin.
   1-15              (4)  "Commissioners court" means the Commissioners
   1-16  Court of Travis County.
   1-17              (5)  "Director" means a member of the board.
   1-18        SECTION 1.02.  AUTHORITY AUTHORIZATION.  The Travis County
   1-19  Airport Authority may be created and established and, if created,
   1-20  must be maintained, operated, and financed in the manner provided
   1-21  by Article IX, Section 12, of the Texas Constitution.
   1-22        SECTION 1.03.  BOUNDARIES.  The boundaries of the authority
   1-23  are coextensive with the boundaries of Travis County, Texas.
    2-1                   ARTICLE 2.  CREATION OF AUTHORITY
    2-2        SECTION 2.01.  CREATION ELECTION.  The authority may be
    2-3  created only if the creation is approved by a majority of the
    2-4  qualified voters of Travis County voting at an election called and
    2-5  held for that purpose.
    2-6        SECTION 2.02.  ORDERING ELECTION.  On presentation of a
    2-7  petition for a creation election signed by at least five percent of
    2-8  the registered taxpaying voters of Travis County, the commissioners
    2-9  court shall order a creation election to be held.  The election
   2-10  shall be called not later than the 60th day after the date on which
   2-11  the petition is presented to the commissioners court.
   2-12        SECTION 2.03.  APPOINTMENT <OR ELECTION> OF BOARD.  (a)  <The
   2-13  city council shall determine whether the directors for the proposed
   2-14  authority should be appointed or elected.  The city council shall
   2-15  notify the commissioners court of its decision not later than the
   2-16  40th day before the date on which a creation election is held under
   2-17  this Act.>
   2-18        <(b)  If the city council decides that the board should be
   2-19  appointed,> the commissioners court shall appoint the initial board
   2-20  as prescribed by Section 3.02 of this Act.
   2-21        (c)  If the city council decides that the board should be
   2-22  elected, the initial directors shall be elected at the creation
   2-23  election.
   2-24        SECTION 2.04.  ELECTION ORDER.  The order calling the
   2-25  election must state:
    3-1              (1)  the nature of the election, including the
    3-2  proposition that is to appear on the ballot, and if applicable, the
    3-3  fact that the initial directors are to be elected at that election;
    3-4              (2)  the date of the election;
    3-5              (3)  the hours during which the polls will be open; and
    3-6              (4)  the location of the polling places.
    3-7        SECTION 2.05.  NOTICE.  The commissioners court shall give
    3-8  notice of the election by publishing a substantial copy of the
    3-9  election order in a newspaper with general circulation in Travis
   3-10  County once a week for two consecutive weeks.  The first
   3-11  publication must appear at least 35 days before the date set for
   3-12  the election.
   3-13        SECTION 2.06.  APPLICATION FOR ELECTION.  (a)  If the
   3-14  directors are to be elected, a person who wishes to have the
   3-15  person's name printed on the ballot as a candidate for director
   3-16  must file with the commissioners court an application asking that
   3-17  the person's name be placed on the ballot.
   3-18        (b)  The person must file the application with the
   3-19  commissioners court not later than the 31st day before the date of
   3-20  the election.
   3-21        SECTION 2.07.  TIME FOR ELECTION.  (a)  The election shall be
   3-22  held not less than 45 days nor more than 60 days after the date on
   3-23  which the election is ordered.
   3-24        (b)  Section 41.001(a), Election Code, does not apply to an
   3-25  election ordered under this article.
    4-1        SECTION 2.08.  BALLOT PROPOSITION.  The ballot for the
    4-2  election shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
    4-3  proposition:  "The creation of the Travis County Airport
    4-4  Authority."
    4-5        SECTION 2.09.  CANVASSING RETURNS.  (a)  The commissioners
    4-6  court shall meet and canvass the returns of the election.
    4-7        (b)  If the commissioners court finds that the election
    4-8  results are favorable to the proposition to create the authority,
    4-9  the commissioners court shall issue an order declaring the
   4-10  authority created.
   4-11        (c)  If the commissioners court finds that the election
   4-12  results are not favorable to the proposition to create the
   4-13  authority, another creation election may not be held before the
   4-14  first anniversary of the election at which voters disapproved the
   4-15  proposition, and the petition required under Section 2.02 of this
   4-16  Act must be signed by at least 10 percent of the registered
   4-17  taxpaying voters of Travis County.
   4-18                 ARTICLE 3.  AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATION
   4-19        SECTION 3.01.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  The authority is governed
   4-20  by a board of seven directors.
   4-21        SECTION 3.02.  METHOD OF APPOINTMENT; STAGGERED TERMS; TERM
   4-22  OF OFFICE.  <(a)  If the directors are to be appointed,> the
   4-23  commissioners court shall appoint the initial board not later than
   4-24  the 30th day after the date on which the authority is created.
   4-25        (b)  In making initial appointments, the commissioners court
    5-1  shall appoint three persons to serve until February 1 of the first
    5-2  odd-numbered year after the year in which the authority is created,
    5-3  and four persons to serve until February 1 of the second
    5-4  odd-numbered year after the year in which the district is created.
    5-5        (c)  After the initial appointment of directors, the
    5-6  commissioners court shall appoint the appropriate number of
    5-7  directors each odd-numbered year to serve four-year terms that
    5-8  expire on February 1.
    5-9        (d)  Each appointment must be made with the consent of the
   5-10  city council, and the commissioners court shall consult with the
   5-11  city council before making an appointment.
   5-12        <SECTION 3.03.  METHOD OF ELECTION; STAGGERED TERMS; TERM OF
   5-13  OFFICE; ELECTION  DATE.  (a)  If the board is to be elected, the
   5-14  members of the board of directors shall be elected at large from
   5-15  Travis County.>
   5-16        <(b)  The seven candidates receiving the highest number of
   5-17  votes at the creation election are directors for the authority.  If
   5-18  two or more persons tie for the seventh-highest vote, the
   5-19  commissioners court shall select the seventh member from those
   5-20  tying for the place.  The four directors receiving the highest
   5-21  number of votes at the creation election serve until successor
   5-22  directors are elected at the second regular directors' election
   5-23  following the creation of the authority.  The remaining directors
   5-24  serve until successor directors are elected at the first regular
   5-25  directors' election following the creation of the authority.>
    6-1        <(c)  After the initial election of directors, an election
    6-2  shall be held on the first Saturday in May each even numbered year,
    6-3  and the appropriate number of successor directors shall be elected
    6-4  for four year terms.>
    6-5        <SECTION 3.04.  NOTICE OF DIRECTORS' ELECTION AND
    6-6  APPLICATION.  (a)  If the directors are elected, notice of the
    6-7  election shall be published one time in a newspaper with general
    6-8  circulation in Travis County at least 35 days before the date of
    6-9  each election of directors.>
   6-10        <(b)  A person who wishes to have the person's name printed
   6-11  on the ballot as a candidate for director must file with the
   6-12  secretary of the authority an application asking that the person's
   6-13  name be placed on the ballot.  The application must be filed with
   6-14  the secretary not later than the 31st day before the date of the
   6-15  election.>
   6-16        SECTION 3.05.  QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE.  A person is not
   6-17  eligible to be appointed as<, to be a candidate for,> or to serve
   6-18  as a director unless the person is a resident of Travis County and
   6-19  a qualified voter.
   6-20        SECTION 3.06.  BOARD VACANCY.  A vacancy in the office of
   6-21  director shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by
   6-22  the commissioners court and as prescribed by Section 3.02(d) of
   6-23  this Act.
   6-24        SECTION 3.07.  OFFICERS.  The board shall elect from among
   6-25  its members a president and a vice-president.  The board shall also
    7-1  appoint a secretary.  The secretary need not be a director.
    7-2        SECTION 3.08.  OFFICERS' TERMS; VACANCY.  (a)  Each officer
    7-3  of the board serves for a term of one year.
    7-4        (b)  The board shall fill a vacancy in a board office for the
    7-5  unexpired term.
    7-6        SECTION 3.09.  COMPENSATION.  Directors and officers serve
    7-7  without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses
    7-8  incurred in the performance of official duties.  Those expenses
    7-9  must be reported in the authority's minute book or other authority
   7-10  records and must be approved by the board.
   7-11        SECTION 3.10.  VOTING REQUIREMENT.  A concurrence of a
   7-12  majority of the members of the board <voting> is necessary in
   7-13  matters relating to the business of the authority.
   7-14        SECTION 3.11.  ADMINISTRATOR, ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR, AND
   7-15  ATTORNEY.  (a)  The board may appoint qualified persons as
   7-16  administrator of the authority, assistant administrator, and
   7-17  attorney for the authority.
   7-18        (b)  The administrator, assistant administrator, and attorney
   7-19  serve at the will of the board.
   7-20        (c)  The administrator, assistant administrator, and attorney
   7-21  are entitled to compensation as determined by the board.
   7-22        SECTION 3.12.  EMPLOYEES.  The authority may employ necessary
   7-23  employees or delegate to the administrator the authority to employ
   7-24  persons for the authority.
   7-25        SECTION 3.13.  GENERAL DUTIES OF ADMINISTRATOR.  The
    8-1  administrator shall supervise the work and activities of the
    8-2  authority and shall direct the general affairs of the authority,
    8-3  subject to the limitations prescribed by the board.
    8-4        SECTION 3.14.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS.  The board may provide
    8-5  retirement benefits for employees of the authority by establishing
    8-6  or administering a retirement program or by electing to participate
    8-7  in the Texas County and District Retirement System or in any other
    8-8  statewide retirement system in which the authority is eligible to
    8-9  participate.
   8-10                     ARTICLE 4.  POWERS AND DUTIES
   8-11        SECTION 4.01.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The authority
   8-12  has all of the rights, powers, privileges, authority, and functions
   8-13  conferred by Article IX, Section 12, of the Texas Constitution.
   8-14        (b)  The authority has all of the powers granted to a
   8-15  municipality in the operation of an airport by the Municipal
   8-16  Airports Act (Article 46d-1 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)
   8-17  that are not inconsistent with this Act.
   8-18        (c)  The authority may adopt and enforce appropriate zoning
   8-19  regulations under Chapter 241, Local Government Code, and may
   8-20  exercise the power granted to a political subdivision by that
   8-21  chapter.
   8-22        (d)  The authority may not levy a property tax.
   8-23        SECTION 4.02.  MANAGEMENT, CONTROL, AND ADMINISTRATION.  The
   8-24  board shall manage, control, and administer the authority and its
   8-25  facilities and the funds and resources of the authority.
    9-1        SECTION 4.03.  AUTHORITY RULES.  The board may adopt rules
    9-2  governing the operation of the authority and its facilities and the
    9-3  duties, functions, and responsibilities of authority staff and
    9-4  employees.
    9-5        SECTION 4.04.  METHODS AND PROCEDURES.  (a)  The board may
    9-6  prescribe the method of making purchases and expenditures by and
    9-7  for the authority.
    9-8        (b)  The board may prescribe accounting and control
    9-9  procedures for the authority.
   9-10        SECTION 4.05.  ACQUISITION OF EXISTING AIRPORT.  (a)  The
   9-11  authority may acquire by purchase, gift, or eminent domain an
   9-12  interest in an existing airport facility that is publicly owned and
   9-13  financed and that is served by a certificated airline.
   9-14        (b)  The authority shall fully assume any outstanding revenue
   9-15  bonds secured by a pledge of the revenues of the existing airport
   9-16  facility and any bonds that are a lien against the airport facility
   9-17  and shall discharge the bonds according to their terms.
   9-18        SECTION 4.06.  AIRPORT PROPERTY, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT.
   9-19  (a)  The board may acquire property, facilities, and equipment for
   9-20  the authority and may mortgage or pledge the property, facilities,
   9-21  or equipment acquired as security for the payment of the purchase
   9-22  price.
   9-23        (b)  The board may lease airport facilities on behalf of the
   9-24  authority.
   9-25        (c)  The board may sell or otherwise dispose of property,
   10-1  facilities, or equipment on behalf of the authority.
   10-2        SECTION 4.07.  CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS.  (a)  The board may
   10-3  enter into construction contracts on behalf of the authority;
   10-4  however, the board may enter into construction contracts that
   10-5  involve spending more than $10,000 only after competitive bidding
   10-6  as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 271, Local Government Code.
   10-7        (b)  Article 5160, Revised Statutes, as it relates to
   10-8  performance and payment bonds, applies to construction contracts
   10-9  let by the authority.
  10-10        SECTION 4.08.  AUTHORITY OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS.
  10-11  The board may enter into operating or management contracts relating
  10-12  to airport facilities on behalf of the authority.
  10-13        SECTION 4.09.  EMINENT DOMAIN.  (a)  The authority may
  10-14  exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire by condemnation a
  10-15  fee simple or other interest in property located in the authority
  10-16  if the property interest is necessary to the exercise of the rights
  10-17  or authority conferred by this Act.
  10-18        (b)  The authority must exercise the power of eminent domain
  10-19  in the manner provided by Chapter 21, Property Code, but the
  10-20  authority is not required to deposit in the trial court money or a
  10-21  bond as provided by Section 21.021(a), Property Code.
  10-22        (c)  In a condemnation proceeding brought by the authority,
  10-23  the authority is not required to pay in advance or give bond or
  10-24  other security for costs in the trial court, to give bond for the
  10-25  issuance of a temporary restraining order or a temporary
   11-1  injunction, or to give bond for costs or supersedeas on an appeal
   11-2  or writ of error.
   11-3        SECTION 4.10.  EXPENSES FOR MOVING FACILITIES OF RAILROADS
   11-4  AND UTILITIES.  In exercising the power of eminent domain, if the
   11-5  board requires relocating, raising, lowering, rerouting, changing
   11-6  the grade, or altering the construction of any railroad, highway,
   11-7  pipeline, or electric transmission and electric distribution,
   11-8  telegraph, or telephone lines, conduits, poles, or facilities, the
   11-9  authority must bear the actual cost of relocating, raising,
  11-10  lowering, rerouting, changing the grade, or altering the
  11-11  construction to provide comparable replacement without enhancement
  11-12  of facilities, after deducting the net salvage value derived from
  11-13  the old facility.
  11-14        SECTION 4.11.  FUNDS, GIFTS, AND ENDOWMENTS.  (a)  The
  11-15  authority may request and accept money from a federal or state
  11-16  agency, political subdivision, or other legal entity to carry out
  11-17  the provisions of this Act.
  11-18        (b)  On behalf of the authority, the board may accept gifts
  11-19  and endowments to be held in trust for any purpose and under any
  11-20  direction, limitation, or provision prescribed in writing by the
  11-21  donor that is consistent with the proper management of the
  11-22  authority.
  11-23        SECTION 4.12.  AUTHORITY TO SUE AND BE SUED.  The board may
  11-24  sue and be sued on behalf of the authority.
  11-25                    ARTICLE 5.  AUTHORITY FINANCES
   12-1        SECTION 5.01.  FISCAL YEAR.  (a)  The authority operates on
   12-2  the fiscal year established by the board.
   12-3        (b)  The fiscal year may not be changed when revenue bonds of
   12-4  the authority are outstanding or more than once in a 24-month
   12-5  period.
   12-6        SECTION 5.02.  ANNUAL AUDIT.  Annually, the board shall have
   12-7  an audit made of the financial condition of the authority.
   12-8        SECTION 5.03.  AUTHORITY AUDIT AND RECORDS.  The annual audit
   12-9  and other authority records are open to inspection during regular
  12-10  business hours at the principal office of the authority.
  12-11        SECTION 5.04.  ANNUAL BUDGET.  (a)  The administrator of the
  12-12  authority shall prepare a proposed annual budget for the authority.
  12-13        (b)  The proposed budget must contain a complete financial
  12-14  statement, including a statement of:
  12-15              (1)  the outstanding obligations of the authority;
  12-16              (2)  the amount of cash on hand to the credit of each
  12-17  fund of the authority;
  12-18              (3)  the amount of money received by the authority from
  12-19  all sources during the previous year;
  12-20              (4)  the amount of money available to the authority
  12-21  from all sources during the ensuing year;
  12-22              (5)  the amount of the balances expected at the end of
  12-23  the year in which the budget is being prepared; and
  12-24              (6)  the estimated amount of revenues and balances
  12-25  available to cover the proposed budget.
   13-1        SECTION 5.05.  NOTICE; HEARING; ADOPTION OF BUDGET.  (a)  The
   13-2  board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed annual budget.
   13-3        (b)  The board shall publish notice of the hearing in a
   13-4  newspaper of general circulation in the authority not later than
   13-5  the 10th day before the date of the hearing.
   13-6        (c)  Any resident of the authority is entitled to be present
   13-7  and participate at the hearing.
   13-8        (d)  At the conclusion of the hearing, the board shall adopt
   13-9  a budget by acting on the budget proposed by the administrator.
  13-10  The board may make any necessary changes in the proposed budget.
  13-11        (e)  The budget is effective only after adoption by the
  13-12  board.
  13-13        SECTION 5.06.  AMENDING BUDGET.  After adoption, the annual
  13-14  budget may be amended on the board's approval.
  13-15        SECTION 5.07.  LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES.  Money may not be
  13-16  spent for an expense not included in the annual budget or an
  13-17  amendment to it.
  13-18        SECTION 5.08.  SWORN STATEMENT.  As soon as practicable after
  13-19  the close of the fiscal year, the administrator shall prepare for
  13-20  the board a sworn statement of the amount of money that belongs to
  13-21  the authority and an account of the disbursements of that money.
  13-22        SECTION 5.09.  SPENDING AND INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.  (a)
  13-23  Except as provided by Sections 4.07(a), 6.01, and 6.05 of this Act,
  13-24  the authority may not incur a debt payable from revenues of the
  13-25  authority other than the revenues on hand or to be on hand in the
   14-1  current and immediately following fiscal year of the authority.
   14-2        (b)  The board may invest operating, depreciation, or
   14-3  building reserves only in funds or securities specified by Article
   14-4  836 or 837, Revised Statutes.
   14-5        SECTION 5.10.  DEPOSITORY.  (a)  The board shall name at
   14-6  least one bank to serve as depository for authority funds.
   14-7        (b)  Authority funds, other than those invested as provided
   14-8  by Section 5.09(b) of this Act and those transmitted to a bank of
   14-9  payment for bonds or obligations issued or assumed by the
  14-10  authority, shall be deposited as received with the depository bank
  14-11  and must remain on deposit.  This subsection does not limit the
  14-12  power of the board to place a portion of authority funds on time
  14-13  deposit or to purchase certificates of deposit.
  14-14        (c)  Before the authority deposits funds in a bank in an
  14-15  amount that exceeds the maximum amount secured by the Federal
  14-16  Deposit Insurance Corporation, the bank must execute a bond or
  14-17  other security in an amount sufficient to secure from loss the
  14-18  authority funds that exceed the amount secured by the Federal
  14-19  Deposit Insurance Corporation.
  14-20                           ARTICLE 6.  BONDS
  14-21        SECTION 6.01.  REVENUE BONDS.  (a)  the board may issue
  14-22  revenue bonds to:
  14-23              (1)  purchase, condemn, acquire, construct,
  14-24  reconstruct, repair, equip, or renovate an airport, landing fields,
  14-25  runways, airport buildings, hangars, facilities, and equipment; or
   15-1              (2)  purchase, condemn, or acquire real or personal
   15-2  property necessary to establish, equip, operate, and maintain an
   15-3  airport.
   15-4        (b)  The bonds must be payable from and secured by a pledge
   15-5  of all or part of the revenues derived from the operation of the
   15-6  airport facilities.  The bonds may be additionally secured by a
   15-7  mortgage or deed of trust lien on all or part of the authority's
   15-8  property.
   15-9        SECTION 6.02.  TERMS; FORM.  (a)  The authority may issue its
  15-10  bonds in various series or issues.
  15-11        (b)  Bonds may mature serially or otherwise not more than 50
  15-12  years after the date of their issuance and must bear interest at a
  15-13  rate permitted by state law.
  15-14        (c)  The bonds and interest coupons, if any, are investment
  15-15  securities under the terms of Chapter 8, Business & Commerce Code,
  15-16  and may be issued registrable as to principal or as to principal
  15-17  and interest or may be issued in book entry form and may be made
  15-18  redeemable before maturity at the option of the authority or may
  15-19  contain a mandatory redemption provision.
  15-20        (d)  The bonds may be issued in the form, denominations, and
  15-21  manner and under the terms, conditions, and details and shall be
  15-22  signed and executed as provided by the board in the resolution or
  15-23  order authorizing the bonds.
  15-24        SECTION 6.03.  BOND PROVISIONS.  (a)  In the orders or
  15-25  resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds, including refunding
   16-1  bonds, the board may provide for the flow of funds, the
   16-2  establishment and maintenance of the interest and sinking fund, the
   16-3  reserve fund, and other funds and may make additional covenants
   16-4  with respect to the bonds and the pledged fees.
   16-5        (b)  The orders or resolutions of the board authorizing the
   16-6  issuance of bonds may prohibit the further issuance of bonds or
   16-7  other obligations payable from the pledged fees or may reserve the
   16-8  right to issue additional bonds to be secured by a pledge of and
   16-9  payable from the fees on a parity with or subordinate to the pledge
  16-10  in support of the bonds being issued.
  16-11        (c)  The orders or resolutions of the board issuing bonds may
  16-12  contain other provisions and covenants as the board may determine.
  16-13        (d)  The board may adopt and have executed any other
  16-14  proceedings or instruments necessary and convenient in the issuance
  16-15  of bonds.
  16-16        SECTION 6.04.  APPROVAL AND REGISTRATION.  (a)  Bonds issued
  16-17  by the authority and the records relating to their issuance must be
  16-18  submitted to the attorney general for examination as to their
  16-19  validity.
  16-20        (b)  If the attorney general finds that the bonds have been
  16-21  authorized in accordance with law, the attorney general shall
  16-22  approve them, and the comptroller shall register the bonds.
  16-23        (c)  Following approval and registration, the bonds are
  16-24  incontestable and are binding obligations according to their terms.
  16-25        SECTION 6.05.  REFUNDING BONDS.  (a)  Refunding bonds of the
   17-1  authority may be issued to refund and pay off an outstanding
   17-2  indebtedness the authority has issued or assumed.
   17-3        (b)  The bonds must be issued in the manner provided by
   17-4  Chapter 784, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969
   17-5  (Article 717k-3, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
   17-6        (c)  The refunding bonds may be sold and the proceeds applied
   17-7  to the payment of outstanding indebtedness or may be exchanged in
   17-8  whole or in part for not less than a similar principal amount of
   17-9  outstanding indebtedness.  If the refunding bonds are to be sold
  17-10  and the proceeds applied to the payment of outstanding
  17-11  indebtedness, the refunding bonds must be issued and payments made
  17-12  in the manner provided by Chapter 503, Acts of the 54th
  17-13  Legislature, Regular Session, 1955 (Article 717k, Vernon's Texas
  17-14  Civil Statutes).
  17-15        SECTION 6.06.  LEGAL INVESTMENTS; SECURITY FOR DEPOSITS.  (a)
  17-16  Authority bonds are legal and authorized investments for:
  17-17              (1)  a bank;
  17-18              (2)  a savings bank;
  17-19              (3)  a trust company;
  17-20              (4)  a savings and loan association;
  17-21              (5)  an insurance company;
  17-22              (6)  a fiduciary;
  17-23              (7)  a trustee;
  17-24              (8)  a guardian; and
  17-25              (9)  the sinking fund of a municipality, county, school
   18-1  district, or other political subdivision of the state and other
   18-2  public funds of the state and its agencies, including the permanent
   18-3  school fund.
   18-4        (b)  Authority bonds may secure deposits of public funds of
   18-5  the state or a municipality, county, school district, or other
   18-6  political subdivision of the state.  The bonds are lawful and
   18-7  sufficient security for deposits to the extent of their value, if
   18-8  accompanied by all unmatured coupons.
   18-9        SECTION 6.07.  APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS.  Authority bonds
  18-10  are considered bonds under the Bond Procedures Act of 1981 (Article
  18-11  717k-6, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
  18-12        SECTION 6.08.  TAX STATUS OF BONDS.  Because the authority
  18-13  created under this Act is a public entity performing an essential
  18-14  public function, bonds issued by the authority, any transaction
  18-15  relating to the bonds, and profits made in the sale of the bonds
  18-16  are free from taxation by the state or by a municipality, county,
  18-17  special district, or other political subdivision of the state.
  18-18                         ARTICLE 7.  EMERGENCY
  18-19        SECTION 7.01.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
  18-20  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
  18-21  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
  18-22  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
  18-23  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
  18-24  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
  18-25  passage, and it is so enacted.