By: Ellis S.B. No. 1620
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to the creation, administration, powers, and duties of the
1-2 Houston Downtown Management District; granting the authority to
1-3 issue bonds; authorizing a tax.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. CREATION OF DISTRICT. (a) A special district to
1-6 be known as the "Houston Downtown Management District" exists as a
1-7 governmental agency, body politic and corporate, and political
1-8 subdivision of the state.
1-9 (b) The name of the district may be changed by resolution of
1-10 the board.
1-11 (c) The creation of the district is essential to accomplish
1-12 the purposes of Section 52, Article III, Section 59, Article XVI,
1-13 and Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution, and other public
1-14 purposes stated in this Act.
1-15 SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION. (a) The legislature
1-16 finds and declares that the creation of the district is necessary
1-17 to promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce,
1-18 transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, arts, entertainment,
1-19 economic development, safety, and the public welfare in the
1-20 downtown area of the City of Houston.
1-21 (b) It is the legislature's intent that the creation of the
1-22 district and this legislation not be interpreted to relieve Harris
1-23 County or the City of Houston from providing the present level of
2-1 services to the area included within the district or to release the
2-2 county or the city from the obligations each entity has to provide
2-3 services to that area. The district is created to supplement and
2-4 not supplant the city or county services provided in the area
2-5 included within the district.
2-6 (c) The legislature finds and intends that by creating the
2-7 district and in authorizing the city, county, and other political
2-8 subdivisions to contract with the district the legislature has
2-9 established a program to accomplish the public purposes set out in
2-10 Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution.
2-11 SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
2-12 (1) "Board" means the board of directors of the
2-13 district.
2-14 (2) "District" means the Houston Downtown Management
2-15 District.
2-16 (3) "City" means the City of Houston, Texas.
2-17 (4) "County" means Harris County, Texas.
2-18 SECTION 4. BOUNDARIES. The district includes all the
2-19 territory contained within the following described area:
2-20 705 acres, more or less, in the J. Austin Survey, Abstract 1,
2-21 the J.S. Holman Survey, Abstract 323, the O. Smith Survey, Abstract
2-22 696, and the J. Wells Survey, Abstract 832, Harris County, Texas,
2-23 more particularly described as follows:
2-24 BEGINNING at the intersection of the center line of the
2-25 right-of-way of Commerce Avenue with the center line of the
3-1 right-of-way of Austin Street;
3-2 Thence in a southwesterly direction with the center line of
3-3 the right-of-way of Austin street to the intersection with the
3-4 center line of the right-of-way of Capitol Avenue;
3-5 Thence in a southeasterly direction with the center line of
3-6 the right-of-way of Capitol Avenue to the intersection with the
3-7 center line of the right-of-way of Chartres Street;
3-8 Thence in a southwesterly direction with the center line of
3-9 the right-of-way of Chartres Street to the intersection with the
3-10 center line of the right-of-way of Clay Avenue;
3-11 Thence in a northwesterly direction with the center line of
3-12 the right-of-way of Clay Avenue to the intersection with the center
3-13 line of the right-of-way of Caroline Street;
3-14 Thence in a southwesterly direction with the center line of
3-15 the right-of-way of Caroline Street to the intersection with the
3-16 center line of the right-of-way of Pierce Avenue;
3-17 Thence in a northwesterly direction with the center line of
3-18 the right-of-way of Pierce Avenue to the intersection with the
3-19 center line of the right-of-way of Bagby Street;
3-20 Thence in a northeasterly direction with the center line of
3-21 the right-of-way of Bagby Street to the intersection with a
3-22 southerly projection of the west line of the right-of-way of Heiner
3-23 Street;
3-24 Thence in a northerly direction with the west line of the
3-25 right-of-way of Heiner Street and southerly and northerly
4-1 projections thereof to the intersection with the center line of the
4-2 right-of-way of W. Dallas Street;
4-3 Thence in a westerly direction with the center line of the
4-4 right-of-way of W. Dallas Street to the intersection with a
4-5 southerly projection of the west line of the right-of-way of Heiner
4-6 Street;
4-7 Thence in a northerly direction with the west line of the
4-8 right-of-way of Heiner Street and southerly and northerly
4-9 projections thereof to the intersection with the center line of the
4-10 right-of-way of Allen Parkway;
4-11 Thence in an easterly direction with the center line of the
4-12 right-of-way of Allen Parkway to the intersection with a southerly
4-13 projection of the center line of the right-of-way of Sabine Street;
4-14 Thence in a northerly direction with a southerly projection
4-15 of the center line of the right-of-way of Sabine Street and then
4-16 with the center line of the right-of-way of Sabine Street to the
4-17 intersection with the north right-of-way line of Memorial Drive;
4-18 Thence in an easterly direction with the north right-of-way
4-19 line of Memorial Drive to the intersection with the west
4-20 right-of-way line of Interstate Highway 45;
4-21 Thence in a northeasterly direction with the west
4-22 right-of-way line of Interstate Highway 45 to the intersection with
4-23 the center line of the right-of-way of Franklin Avenue;
4-24 Thence in an easterly direction with the center line of the
4-25 right-of-way of Franklin Avenue to the intersection with a
5-1 southerly projection of the center line of the northbound ramp to
5-2 Interstate Highway 10, a continuation of Louisiana Street;
5-3 Thence in a northerly direction with the center line of the
5-4 right-of-way of the northbound ramp to Interstate Highway 10 and
5-5 the southerly projection thereof, to the intersection with the
5-6 center line of the Southern Pacific Rail Road's "Main Passenger
5-7 Line" right-of-way;
5-8 Thence in an easterly direction with the center line of the
5-9 Southern Pacific Rail Road's "Main Passenger Line" right-of-way to
5-10 the intersection with the center line of the right-of-way of North
5-11 San Jacinto Street;
5-12 Thence in a southerly direction with the center line of the
5-13 right-of-way of North San Jacinto Street to the intersection with
5-14 the center line of the right-of-way of Commerce Avenue;
5-15 Thence in a southeasterly direction with the center line of
5-16 the right-of-way of Commerce Avenue to The Point of Beginning,
5-17 containing 705 acres, more or less, including, without limitation,
5-18 all air space above and all subsurface below said property.
5-19 SECTION 5. FINDINGS RELATING TO BOUNDARIES. The legislature
5-20 finds that the boundaries and field notes of the district form a
5-21 closure. If a mistake is made in the field notes or in copying the
5-22 field notes in the legislative process, the mistake does not in any
5-23 way affect the:
5-24 (1) organization, existence, and validity of the
5-25 district;
6-1 (2) right of the district to issue any type of bonds
6-2 or refunding bonds for the purposes for which the district is
6-3 created or to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds;
6-4 (3) right of the district to levy and collect
6-5 assessments or taxes; or
6-6 (4) legality or operation of the district or its
6-7 governing body.
6-8 SECTION 6. FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. (a) The
6-9 legislature finds that all of the land and other property included
6-10 within the boundaries of the district will be benefited by the
6-11 improvements and services to be provided by the district under
6-12 powers conferred by Section 52, Article III, Section 59, Article
6-13 XVI, and Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution, and other
6-14 powers granted under this Act, and that the district is created to
6-15 serve a public use and benefit.
6-16 (b) The legislature finds that:
6-17 (1) the creation of the district is in the public
6-18 interest and is essential to:
6-19 (A) further the public purposes of the
6-20 development and diversification of the economy of the state; and
6-21 (B) eliminate unemployment and underemployment
6-22 and develop or expand transportation and commerce;
6-23 (2) the district will promote the health, safety, and
6-24 general welfare of residents, employers, employees, visitors,
6-25 consumers in the district, and the general public;
7-1 (3) the district will provide needed funding for the
7-2 city's downtown area to preserve, maintain, and enhance the
7-3 economic health and vitality of the area as a community and
7-4 business center; and
7-5 (4) the district will further promote the health,
7-6 safety, welfare, and enjoyment of the public by providing
7-7 pedestrian ways and by landscaping and developing certain areas
7-8 within the district, which are necessary for the restoration,
7-9 preservation, and enhancement of scenic and aesthetic beauty.
7-10 (c) The legislature finds and determines that pedestrian
7-11 ways along or across a street, whether at grade or above or below
7-12 the surface, and street lighting, street landscaping, and street
7-13 art objects are parts of and necessary components of a street and
7-14 are considered to be a street or road improvement.
7-15 (d) The district will not act as the agent or
7-16 instrumentality of any private interest even though many private
7-17 interests will be benefited by the district, as will the general
7-18 public.
7-19 SECTION 7. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. Except as otherwise
7-20 provided by this Act, Chapter 375, Local Government Code, applies
7-21 to the district.
7-22 SECTION 8. CONSTRUCTION OF ACT. This Act shall be liberally
7-23 construed in conformity with the legislative findings and purposes
7-24 stated in this Act.
7-25 SECTION 9. BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN GENERAL. (a) The district
8-1 is governed by a board of 30 directors who serve staggered
8-2 four-year terms.
8-3 (b) Subchapter D, Chapter 375, Local Government Code,
8-4 applies to the board to the extent that subchapter does not
8-5 conflict with this Act.
8-6 SECTION 10. INITIAL DIRECTORS. (a) The initial board
8-7 consists of the following persons:
8-8 Pos. No. Name of Director
8-9 1 Charles Baughn
8-10 2 Patrick Ezzell
8-11 3 Cindy Garcia
8-12 4 Nick Gonzales
8-13 5 Dennis L. Greer
8-14 6 Valerie D. Marshall
8-15 7 William E. Penland, Jr.
8-16 8 Peggy Menchaca
8-17 9 Sharon Michael
8-18 10 Melanie Ringo
8-19 11 Mark M. Sacco
8-20 12 Paula T. Saizan
8-21 13 James B. Seigler
8-22 14 Richard Veith
8-23 15 Ben I. Wilson
8-24 16 Azalea Aleman
8-25 17 Sherea A. McKenzie
9-1 18 Tom Mene
9-2 19 Elsa Pagan
9-3 20 James J. Smith
9-4 21 C. Richard Vermillion
9-5 22 Gary Warwick
9-6 23 J. Mark Russell
9-7 24 Robert Bradford
9-8 25 Anthony Choy
9-9 26 Patricia C. Hewlett
9-10 27 Gary L. Marks
9-11 28 Joel B. Otte
9-12 29 Gary D. Schuman
9-13 30 Jane Bass Page
9-14 (b) Of the initial directors, the directors appointed for
9-15 positions 1 through 7 serve until June 1, 1996, the directors
9-16 appointed for positions 8 through 15 serve until June 1, 1997, the
9-17 directors appointed for positions 16 through 23 serve until June 1,
9-18 1998, and the directors appointed for positions 24 through 30 serve
9-19 until June 1, 1999.
9-20 SECTION 11. SUBSEQUENT DIRECTORS. (a) The mayor and city
9-21 council of the city shall appoint subsequent directors from persons
9-22 recommended by the board. A vacancy in the office of director
9-23 because of the death, resignation, or removal of a director shall
9-24 be filled by the remaining members of the board by appointing a
9-25 qualified person for the unexpired term.
10-1 (b) A person may not be appointed to the board if the
10-2 appointment of that person would result in less than two-thirds of
10-3 the board members being residents of the city.
10-4 SECTION 12. EX OFFICIO MEMBERS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
10-5 (a) The directors of the parks and recreation, planning and
10-6 development, public works, and civic center departments of the
10-7 city, the chief of police of the city, and the general manager of
10-8 the Metropolitan Transit Authority of the county each shall serve
10-9 as a nonvoting ex officio member of the board.
10-10 (b) If any of the departments described by Subsection (a) of
10-11 this section are consolidated, renamed, changed, or abolished, the
10-12 board may appoint the directors of the consolidated, renamed, or
10-13 changed departments as nonvoting ex officio members of the board or
10-14 the board may appoint a representative of another department of the
10-15 city that performs duties comparable to those performed by the
10-16 abolished department.
10-17 (c) The board may appoint the chairpersons of other
10-18 nonprofit corporations actively involved in downtown activities in
10-19 the city to serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the board.
10-20 SECTION 13. POWERS OF DISTRICT. (a) The district has all
10-21 powers necessary or required to accomplish the purposes for which
10-22 the district was created.
10-23 (b) The district has the rights, powers, privileges,
10-24 authorities, and functions of a district created under Chapter 375,
10-25 Local Government Code.
11-1 (c) The district has the powers conferred on a corporation
11-2 under Section 4B, the Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Article
11-3 5190.6, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). The district may own,
11-4 operate, acquire, construct, lease, improve, and maintain projects,
11-5 other than a domed football stadium, described by that section.
11-6 (d) The district may exercise the power of a housing finance
11-7 corporation created under Chapter 394, Local Government Code, to
11-8 provide housing or residential development projects within the
11-9 district.
11-10 (e) The district may:
11-11 (1) levy ad valorem taxes, assessments, or impact fees
11-12 in accordance with Chapter 375, Local Government Code, to provide
11-13 improvements and services for a project or activity the district is
11-14 authorized to acquire, construct, improve, or provide under this
11-15 Act; and
11-16 (2) correct, add to, or delete assessments from its
11-17 assessment rolls after notice and hearing as provided by Subchapter
11-18 F, Chapter 375, Local Government Code.
11-19 (f) The district may not levy a sales and use tax.
11-20 (g) The district may not acquire property through eminent
11-21 domain.
11-22 (h) If the district, in exercising a power conferred by this
11-23 Act, requires a relocation, adjustment, raising, lowering,
11-24 rerouting, or changing the grade of or altering the construction of
11-25 any street, alley, highway, overpass, underpass, road, railroad
12-1 track, bridge, facility or property; electric line, conduit,
12-2 facility or property; telephone or telegraph line, conduit,
12-3 facility or property; gas transmission or distribution pipe,
12-4 pipeline, main, facility or property; water, sanitary sewer or
12-5 storm sewer pipe, pipeline, main, facility or property; cable
12-6 television line, cable, conduit, facility or property; or other
12-7 pipeline or facility or property relating to the pipeline, that
12-8 relocation, adjustment, raising, lowering, rerouting, changing of
12-9 grade, or altering of construction must be accomplished at the sole
12-10 cost and expense of the district, and the district shall bear
12-11 damages that are suffered by owners of the property or facilities.
12-12 SECTION 14. CONFLICTS WITH OTHER LAW. If any provision of a
12-13 law referenced in Section 13 of this Act is in conflict with or is
12-14 inconsistent with this Act, this Act prevails. Any law referenced
12-15 in this Act that is not in conflict or inconsistent with this Act
12-16 is adopted and incorporated by reference.
12-17 SECTION 15. REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCING SERVICES AND
12-18 IMPROVEMENTS. The board may not finance services and improvement
12-19 projects under this Act unless a written petition requesting those
12-20 improvements or services has been filed with the board. The
12-21 petition must be signed by:
12-22 (1) the owners of a majority of the assessed value of
12-23 real property in the district as determined by the most recent
12-24 certified county property tax rolls; or
12-25 (2) at least 50 persons who own land within the
13-1 district, if there are more than 50 persons who own property in the
13-2 district as determined by the most recent certified county property
13-3 tax rolls.
13-4 SECTION 16. EXEMPTIONS. A single family residential
13-5 property or a residential duplex, triplex, quadruplex, or
13-6 condominium may not be exempt from the imposition of a tax, an
13-7 impact fee, or an assessment if the tax, impact fee, or assessment
13-8 is imposed in accordance with this Act.
13-9 SECTION 17. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. (a) The board by
13-10 resolution may authorize the creation of a nonprofit corporation to
13-11 aid, assist, and act on behalf of the district in implementing a
13-12 project or providing a service authorized by this Act.
13-13 (b) The board shall appoint the board of directors of a
13-14 nonprofit corporation created under this section. The board of
13-15 directors of the nonprofit corporation shall serve in the same
13-16 manner as, for the same term as, and on the conditions of the board
13-17 of directors of a local government corporation created under the
13-18 Texas Transportation Corporation Act (Article 1528l, Vernon's Texas
13-19 Civil Statutes).
13-20 (c) A nonprofit corporation created under this section has
13-21 the powers of and is considered for purposes of this Act to be a
13-22 local government corporation created under the Texas Transportation
13-23 Corporation Act (Article 1528l, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
13-24 (d) A nonprofit corporation created under this section may
13-25 implement any project and provide any services authorized by this
14-1 Act.
14-2 SECTION 18. DISBURSEMENTS OR TRANSFERS OF FUNDS. The board
14-3 by resolution shall establish the number of directors' signatures
14-4 and the procedure required for a disbursement or transfer of the
14-5 district's money.
14-6 SECTION 19. BONDS. (a) The district may issue bonds or
14-7 other obligations payable in whole or in part from ad valorem
14-8 taxes, assessments, impact fees, revenues, grants, or other funds
14-9 of the district, or any combination of those funds, to pay for any
14-10 authorized purpose of the district, other than to finance a domed
14-11 football stadium.
14-12 (b) Bonds or other obligations of the district may be issued
14-13 in the form of bonds, notes, certificates of participation,
14-14 including other instruments evidencing a proportionate interest in
14-15 payments to be made by the district, or other obligations that are
14-16 issued in the exercise of the district's borrowing power and may be
14-17 issued in bearer or registered form or not represented by an
14-18 instrument but the transfer of which is registered on books
14-19 maintained by or on behalf of the district.
14-20 (c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) of this section,
14-21 the district must obtain the city's approval of:
14-22 (1) the issuance of bonds for an improvement project;
14-23 and
14-24 (2) the plans and specifications of the improvement
14-25 project to be financed by the bonds.
15-1 (d) If the district obtains the city's approval of a capital
15-2 improvements budget for a specified period not to exceed five
15-3 years, the district may finance the capital improvements and issue
15-4 bonds specified in the budget without further city approval.
15-5 (e) Before the district issues bonds, the district shall
15-6 submit the bonds and the record of proceedings of the district
15-7 relating to authorization of the bonds to the attorney general for
15-8 approval as provided by Chapter 53, Acts of the 70th Legislature,
15-9 2nd Called Session, 1987 (Article 717k-8, Vernon's Texas Civil
15-10 Statutes).
15-11 SECTION 20. ASSESSMENTS. (a) The board may levy and
15-12 collect an assessment for any purpose authorized by this Act.
15-13 (b) Assessments, reassessments or assessments resulting
15-14 from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll by the
15-15 district, penalties and interest on an assessment or reassessment,
15-16 expenses of collection, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by
15-17 the district:
15-18 (1) are a first and prior lien against the property
15-19 assessed;
15-20 (2) are superior to any other lien or claim other than
15-21 a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad
15-22 valorem taxes; and
15-23 (3) are the personal liability of and charge against
15-24 the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
15-25 assessment proceedings.
16-1 (c) The lien is effective from the date of the resolution of
16-2 the board levying the assessment until the assessment is paid. The
16-3 board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the board may
16-4 enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
16-5 SECTION 21. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. The
16-6 district must obtain the city's approval of the plans and
16-7 specifications of any district improvement project related to the
16-8 use of land owned by the city, an easement granted by the city, or
16-9 a right-of-way of a street, road, or highway.
16-10 SECTION 22. ELECTIONS. (a) In addition to the elections
16-11 the district must hold under Subchapter L, Chapter 375, Local
16-12 Government Code, the district shall hold an election in the manner
16-13 provided by that subchapter to obtain voter approval before the
16-14 district imposes a maintenance tax or issues bonds payable from ad
16-15 valorem taxes or assessments.
16-16 (b) The board may submit multiple purposes in a single
16-17 proposition at an election.
16-18 (c) The board may not call an election under this Act unless
16-19 a written petition requesting an election has been filed with the
16-20 board. The petition must be signed by:
16-21 (1) the owners of a majority of the assessed value of
16-22 real property in the district as determined by the most recent
16-23 certified county property tax rolls; or
16-24 (2) at least 50 persons who own land within the
16-25 district, if there are more than 50 persons who own property in the
17-1 district as determined by the most recent certified county property
17-2 tax rolls.
17-3 SECTION 23. IMPACT FEES. The district may impose an impact
17-4 fee for an authorized purpose as provided by Subchapter G, Chapter
17-5 375, Local Government Code.
17-6 SECTION 24. MAINTENANCE TAX. (a) If authorized at an
17-7 election held in accordance with Section 22 of this Act, the
17-8 district may levy and collect an annual ad valorem tax on taxable
17-9 property in the district for the maintenance and operation of the
17-10 district and the improvements constructed or acquired by the
17-11 district or for the provision of services to industrial or
17-12 commercial businesses, residents, or property owners.
17-13 (b) The board shall determine the tax rate.
17-14 SECTION 25. DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT. (a) The district may
17-15 be dissolved as provided in Subchapter M, Chapter 375, Local
17-16 Government Code.
17-17 (b) Notwithstanding Section 375.264, Local Government Code,
17-18 a district that has debt may be dissolved as provided by Subchapter
17-19 M, Chapter 375, Local Government Code. If the district has debt
17-20 and is dissolved, the district shall remain in existence solely for
17-21 the limited purpose of discharging its bonds or other obligations
17-22 according to their terms.
17-23 SECTION 26. CONTRACTS. (a) To protect the public interest,
17-24 the district may contract with the city or county for the provision
17-25 of law enforcement services by the county or city in the district
18-1 on a fee basis.
18-2 (b) The city, county, or any other political subdivision of
18-3 the state, without further authorization, may contract with the
18-4 district to implement a project of the district or aid and assist
18-5 the district in providing the services authorized under this Act.
18-6 A contract under this subsection may:
18-7 (1) be for a period on which the parties agree;
18-8 (2) include terms on which the parties agree;
18-9 (3) be payable from taxes or any other sources of
18-10 revenue that may be available for such purpose; or
18-11 (4) provide that taxes or other revenue collected at a
18-12 district project or from a person using or purchasing a commodity
18-13 or service at a district project may be paid or rebated to the
18-14 district under the terms of the contract.
18-15 (c) The district may enter into a contract, lease, or
18-16 agreement with or make or accept grants and loans to or from:
18-17 (1) the United States, including federal departments
18-18 and agencies;
18-19 (2) the state or a state agency;
18-20 (3) a county, municipality, or other political
18-21 subdivision of the state;
18-22 (4) a public or private corporation, including a
18-23 nonprofit corporation created by the board under this Act; and
18-24 (5) any other person.
18-25 (d) The district may perform all acts necessary for the full
19-1 exercise of the powers vested in the district on terms and
19-2 conditions and for the term the board may determine to be
19-3 advisable.
19-4 SECTION 27. COMPETITIVE BIDDING. The district may enter a
19-5 contract for more than $10,000 for services, improvements, or the
19-6 purchase of materials, machinery, equipment, supplies, or other
19-7 property only as provided by Subchapter K, Chapter 375, Local
19-8 Government Code.
19-9 SECTION 28. REINVESTMENT ZONES. All or any part of the area
19-10 of the district is eligible to be included in a tax incremental
19-11 reinvestment zone created by the city under Chapter 311, Tax Code,
19-12 or included in a tax abatement reinvestment zone created by the
19-13 city under Chapter 312, Tax Code.
19-14 SECTION 29. NOTICE AND CONSENT. The legislature finds that:
19-15 (1) proper and legal notice of the intention to
19-16 introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
19-17 Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
19-18 copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
19-19 officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
19-20 by the constitution and laws of this state, including the governor,
19-21 who has submitted the notice and a copy of this Act to the Texas
19-22 Natural Resource Conservation Commission;
19-23 (2) the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
19-24 has filed its recommendations relating to this Act with the
19-25 governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
20-1 representatives within the required time;
20-2 (3) the general law relating to consent by political
20-3 subdivisions to the creation of districts with conservation,
20-4 reclamation, and road powers and the inclusion of land in those
20-5 districts has been complied with; and
20-6 (4) all requirements of the constitution and laws of
20-7 this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with
20-8 respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have
20-9 been fulfilled and accomplished.
20-10 SECTION 30. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation
20-11 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
20-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
20-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
20-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
20-15 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
20-16 passage, and it is so enacted.