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.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. CREATION; LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION. (a) There is
1-5 created and established a special district in Harris County to be
1-6 known as the "Houston Downtown Management District" that is a
1-7 governmental agency, a body politic and corporate, and a 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 of directors at any time.
1-11 (c) The creation of the district is declared to be essential
1-12 to the accomplishment of the purposes of Article III, Section 52,
1-13 Article XVI, Section 59, and Article III, Section 52-a, of the
1-14 Texas Constitution and to the accomplishment of the other public
1-15 purposes stated in this Act.
1-16 (d) The legislature finds, determines, and declares that the
1-17 creation of the district is necessary to promote, develop,
1-18 encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, transportation,
1-19 housing, tourism, recreation, arts, entertainment, economic
1-20 development, safety, and the public welfare in the downtown Houston
1-21 area of Harris County. It is the legislature's intent that the
1-22 creation of the district and this legislation not be interpreted to
1-23 relieve Harris County or the City of Houston from providing the
2-1 present level of services to the area included within the district
2-2 or to release the county or the city from the obligations each
2-3 entity has to provide services to that area. The district is
2-4 created to supplement and not supplant the city or county services
2-5 in the area included within the district.
2-6 (e) The legislature finds, determines, and intends that by
2-7 creating the district and in authorizing the City, County and other
2-8 political subdivisions to contract with the district it has
2-9 established a program to accomplish the public purposes set out in
2-10 Article III, Section 52-a, of the Texas Constitution.
2-11 SECTION 2. 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 3. BOUNDARIES. The District shall include all of
2-19 the 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 4. 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, it in no way affects the
5-23 organization, existence, and validity of the District, the right of
5-24 the District to issue any type of bonds or refunding bonds for the
5-25 purposes for which the District is created or to pay the principal
6-1 of and interest on the bonds, or the right of the District to levy
6-2 and collect assessments or taxes, or in any other manner affects
6-3 the legality or operation of the District or its governing body.
6-4 SECTION 5. FINDING OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. (a) The
6-5 legislature finds that all of the land and other property included
6-6 within the boundaries of the District will be benefited by the
6-7 improvements and services to be provided by the District under
6-8 powers conferred by Article III, Section 52, Article XVI, Section
6-9 59, and Article III, Section 52-a, of the Texas constitution, and
6-10 other powers granted under this Act, and that the District is
6-11 created to serve a public use and benefit.
6-12 (b) The legislature finds that the creation of the District
6-13 is essential to further the public purposes of the development and
6-14 diversification of the economy of the state, the elimination of
6-15 unemployment and underemployment and the development or expansion
6-16 of transportation and commerce, and is in the public interest. The
6-17 legislature further finds that the District will promote the
6-18 health, safety, and general welfare of residents, employers,
6-19 employees, visitors, consumers in the District, and the general
6-20 public. The District will provide needed funding for the downtown
6-21 Houston area to preserve, maintain, and enhance the economic health
6-22 and vitality of the area as a community and business center. The
6-23 District will further promote the health, safety, welfare, and
6-24 enjoyment of the public by providing pedestrian ways and by
6-25 landscaping and developing certain areas within the District, which
7-1 are necessary for the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of
7-2 scenic and aesthetic beauty. The legislature finds and determines
7-3 that pedestrian ways along or across a street (whether at grade or
7-4 above or below the surface), and street lighting, street
7-5 landscaping, and street art objects are parts of and necessary
7-6 components of a street and shall be deemed to be a street or road
7-7 improvement. The District will not act as the agent or
7-8 instrumentality of any private interest even though many private
7-9 interests will be benefited by the District, as will the general
7-10 public.
7-11 (c) This Act shall be liberally construed in conformity with
7-12 the legislative findings and purposes stated in this Act. The
7-13 District shall have all powers necessary or required for the
7-14 District to be able to accomplish the legislative purposes for
7-15 which the District is created.
7-16 SECTION 6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) The District is
7-17 governed by a Board of 30 directors who shall serve for staggered
7-18 terms of four years.
7-19 (b) At the time this Act takes effect, the following persons
7-20 shall constitute the initial Board of the District and are
7-21 appointed for the terms prescribed by Subsection (c) of this
7-22 section:
7-23 Pos. No. Name of Director Position Term of Office
7-24 1 Baughn, Charles Director 1996
7-25 2 Ezzell, Patrick Director 1996
8-1 3 Garcia, Cindy Director 1996
8-2 4 Gonzales, Nick Director 1996
8-3 5 Greer, Dennis L. Director 1996
8-4 6 Marshall, Valerie D. Director 1996
8-5 7 Penland, Jr., William E. Director 1996
8-6 8 Menchaca, Peggy Director 1997
8-7 9 Michael, Sharon Director 1997
8-8 10 Ringo, Melanie Director 1997
8-9 11 Sacco, Mark M. Director 1997
8-10 12 Saizan, Paula T. Director 1997
8-11 13 Seigler, James B. Director 1997
8-12 14 Veith, Richard Director 1997
8-13 15 Wilson, Ben I. Director 1997
8-14 16 Aleman, Azalea Director 1998
8-15 17 McKenzie, Sherea A. Director 1998
8-16 18 Mene, Tom Director 1998
8-17 19 Pagan, Elsa Director 1998
8-18 20 Smith, James J. Director 1998
8-19 21 Vermillion, C. Richard Director 1998
8-20 22 Warwick, Gary Director 1998
8-21 23 J. Mark Russell Director 1998
8-22 24 Bradford, Robert Director 1999
8-23 25 Choy, Anthony Director 1999
8-24 26 Hewlett, Patricia C. Director 1999
8-25 27 Marks, Gary L. Director 1999
9-1 28 Otte, Joel B. Director 1999
9-2 29 Schuman, Gary D. Director 1999
9-3 30 Jane Bass Page Director 1999
9-4 (c) Of the initial directors, the directors appointed for
9-5 positions 1 through 7 shall serve until June 1, 1996, the directors
9-6 appointed for positions 8 through 15 shall serve until June 1,
9-7 1997, the directors appointed for positions 16 through 23 shall
9-8 serve until June 1, 1998, and the directors appointed for positions
9-9 24 through 30 shall serve until June 1, 1999.
9-10 (d) Subsequent directors for full terms shall be appointed
9-11 by the mayor and City council of the City from persons recommended
9-12 by the Board and shall qualify as provided by Subchapter D, Chapter
9-13 375, Local Government Code, as added by S.B. No. 232, Acts of the
9-14 72nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1991. A vacancy on the Board
9-15 due to death, resignation, or removal shall be filled by the Board
9-16 by appointing a qualified person for the unexpired term. No person
9-17 may be appointed to the Board if that appointment would result in
9-18 less than two-thirds of the Board members being residents of the
9-19 City.
9-20 (e) The directors of the City Departments of Parks and
9-21 Recreation, Planning and Development, Public Works, and Civic
9-22 Center and the City Chief of Police shall each serve as ex-officio,
9-23 non-voting members of the Board. The General Manager of the
9-24 Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, shall also
9-25 serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board. If any of
10-1 these departments are consolidated, renamed, changed, or
10-2 eliminated, the Board may appoint the directors of the
10-3 consolidated, renamed or changed departments as ex-officio,
10-4 non-voting members of the Board or the Board may appoint persons of
10-5 another City department exercising comparable duties in lieu of the
10-6 department eliminated. The Board may also appoint the chairpersons
10-7 of other non-profit corporations actively involved in downtown
10-8 Houston activities to serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of
10-9 the Board.
10-10 (f) The Board is governed by Subchapter D, Chapter 375,
10-11 Local Government Code, to the extent that subchapter does not
10-12 conflict with this Act. Directors may vote on any matter
10-13 authorized by Subchapter D, Chapter 375, Local Government Code;
10-14 however, action may only be taken by the Board if it is approved in
10-15 the manner prescribed by Subchapter D, Chapter 375, Local
10-16 Government Code.
10-17 SECTION 7. GENERAL POWERS. (a) The District shall have all
10-18 of the rights, powers, privileges, and authority conferred by the
10-19 general law of this state applicable to districts created under
10-20 Chapter 375, Local Government Code, as added by S.B. No. 232, Acts
10-21 of the 72nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1991. The District shall
10-22 have all of the powers of an industrial development corporation
10-23 created under the provisions of Section 4B of Article 5190.6,
10-24 Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, and the District is authorized to
10-25 own, operate, acquire, construct, lease, improve, and maintain
11-1 those projects described in Article 5190.6, Section 4B, Vernon's
11-2 Texas Civil Statutes. The District is also authorized to exercise
11-3 the powers of an entity created pursuant to the provisions of
11-4 Chapter 394, Local Government Code, to provide housing or
11-5 residential projects within the District. The District shall have
11-6 the power to levy ad valorem taxes, assessments, or impact fees in
11-7 accordance with provisions of Chapter 375, Local Government Code,
11-8 to provide any improvements and services for any project or
11-9 activity the District is authorized to acquire, construct, improve,
11-10 or provide under this Act. In addition, the Board shall have the
11-11 authority to correct, add to or delete from its assessment roll
11-12 after notice and hearing in the manner required under Section
11-13 375.115. The District shall not have the power to acquire property
11-14 through the exercise of the power of eminent domain. If any
11-15 provision of the referenced laws is in conflict with or
11-16 inconsistent with this Act, this Act prevails. All laws or
11-17 provisions of laws referenced in this Act and subsequent amendments
11-18 to those laws are adopted and incorporated into this Act for all
11-19 purposes and may be used by the District independently of each
11-20 other. The District may not finance services and improvement
11-21 projects under this Act unless a written petition has been filed
11-22 with the Board requesting those improvements or services signed by:
11-23 (1) the owners of a majority of the assessed value of
11-24 real property in the District as determined by the most recent
11-25 certified County property tax rolls; or
12-1 (2) if there are more than 50 persons who own property
12-2 in the District as determined by the most recent certified County
12-3 property tax rolls, by at least 50 persons who own land within the
12-4 District.
12-5 (b) A single family residential property or a residential
12-6 duplex, triplex, quadruplex, or condominium shall not be exempt
12-7 from the imposition of a tax, an impact fee, or an assessment if
12-8 imposed in accordance this Act.
12-9 (c) If the District, in exercising a power conferred by this
12-10 Act, requires a relocation, adjustment, raising, lowering,
12-11 rerouting, or changing the grade of or altering the construction of
12-12 any street, alley, highway, overpass, underpass, road, railroad
12-13 track, bridge, facility or property, electric line, conduit,
12-14 facility or property, telephone or telegraph line, conduit,
12-15 facility or property, gas transmission or distribution pipe,
12-16 pipeline, main, facility or property, water, sanitary sewer or
12-17 storm sewer pipe, pipeline, main, facility or property, cable
12-18 television line, cable, conduit, facility or property, or other
12-19 pipeline or facility or property relating to the pipeline, that
12-20 relocation, adjustment, raising, lowering, rerouting, changing of
12-21 grade, or altering of construction must be accomplished at the sole
12-22 cost and expense of the District, and damages that are suffered by
12-23 owners of the property or facilities shall be borne by the
12-24 District.
12-25 (d) The District is authorized to adopt a resolution
13-1 authorizing the creation of a nonprofit corporation to aid, assist,
13-2 and act on behalf of the District in the implementation of any
13-3 project or the provision of any services authorized by this Act.
13-4 Without any further authorization or approval, any such corporation
13-5 authorized to be created by the Board shall be created and
13-6 dissolved and its board of directors shall be appointed by the
13-7 Board and shall serve in the manner and for the term and on the
13-8 conditions of the board of a local government corporation created
13-9 pursuant to the provisions of Section 4A of Article 1528l, Vernon's
13-10 Texas Civil Statutes. Any corporation so created shall have the
13-11 powers of and be deemed for all purposes to be a local government
13-12 corporation created pursuant to the provisions of Section 4A of
13-13 Article 1528l and shall have all the powers necessary to implement
13-14 any project and provide any services authorized by this Act.
13-15 (e) The Board shall establish by resolution the number of
13-16 director signatures or the procedure required for all disbursements
13-17 or transfers of the District's money.
13-18 SECTION 8. TORT CLAIMS. The District is a unit of
13-19 government for purposes of Chapter 101, Civil Practice and Remedies
13-20 Code. The operations of the District are essential governmental
13-21 functions for all purposes and not proprietary functions.
13-22 SECTION 9. BONDS AND ASSESSMENTS. (a) The District may
13-23 issue bonds or other obligations payable in whole or in part from
13-24 ad valorem taxes, assessments, impact fees, revenues, grants, or
13-25 other funds of the district, or any combination of those funds, to
14-1 pay for any authorized purpose of the District. Bonds or other
14-2 obligations of the District may be issued in the form of bonds,
14-3 notes, certificates of participation, including other instruments
14-4 evidencing a proportionate interest in payments to be made by the
14-5 District, or other obligations that are issued in the exercise of
14-6 the District's borrowing power and may be issued in bearer or
14-7 registered form or not represented by an instrument but the
14-8 transfer of which is registered on books maintained by or on behalf
14-9 of the District. The Board may levy and collect an assessment
14-10 under Subchapter F, Chapter 375, Local Government Code, for any
14-11 authorized purpose by this Act or Chapter 375, Local Government
14-12 Code.
14-13 (b) The District must obtain the approval of the City for
14-14 bond issues for an improvement project and the plans and
14-15 specifications of an improvement project financed by the bond issue
14-16 before those bonds may be issued. Instead of approval of bonds by
14-17 the City, the District before finally approving a capital
14-18 improvements budget may obtain approval from the City of a capital
14-19 improvements budget for a period not to exceed five years. If the
14-20 District obtains approval of a capital improvements budget, it may
14-21 finance the capital improvements and issue bonds specified in the
14-22 budget without further approval from the City. The District must
14-23 obtain approval from the City of the plans and specifications of
14-24 any improvement project that involves the use of the rights-of-way
14-25 of streets, roads, or highways or the use of City land or any
15-1 easements granted by the City.
15-2 (c) Except as provided above in Paragraph (b), no approval
15-3 of bonds issued by the District is required other than the approval
15-4 of the attorney general as provided by Article 717-8, Vernon's
15-5 Texas Civil Statutes.
15-6 (d) Assessments, reassessments or assessments resulting from
15-7 an addition to or correction of the assessment roll by the
15-8 District, penalties and interest on an assessment or reassessment,
15-9 expenses of collection, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by
15-10 the District are a first and prior lien against the property
15-11 assessed, are superior to any other lien or claim other than a lien
15-12 or claim for County, school District, or municipal ad valorem
15-13 taxes, and are the personal liability of and charge against the
15-14 owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
15-15 assessment proceedings. The lien is effective from the date of the
15-16 resolution of the Board levying the assessment until the assessment
15-17 is paid. The Board may enforce the lien in the same manner that
15-18 the Board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
15-19 SECTION 10. ELECTIONS. The District shall hold elections as
15-20 provided by Subchapter L, Chapter 375, Local Government Code. The
15-21 District shall also hold an election in the manner provided by that
15-22 subchapter for the purpose of obtaining voter approval for the
15-23 District to levy a maintenance tax or to issue bonds payable from
15-24 ad valorem taxes or assessments. The Board may submit multiple
15-25 purposes in a single proposition at an election.
16-1 SECTION 11. IMPACT FEES. The District may impose an impact
16-2 fee for an authorized purpose as provided by Subchapter G, Chapter
16-3 375, Local Government Code.
16-4 SECTION 12. MAINTENANCE TAX. If authorized at an election
16-5 held in accordance with Section 10 of this Act, the District may
16-6 levy and collect an annual ad valorem tax on taxable property in
16-7 the District for maintenance, operation, and upkeep of the District
16-8 and the improvements constructed or acquired by the District and
16-9 the provision of services to industrial and commercial businesses
16-10 and residents and property owners. The Board shall determine the
16-11 tax rate.
16-12 SECTION 13. DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT. The District may
16-13 be dissolved as provided in Subchapter M of Chapter 375, Local
16-14 Government Code. If the District is dissolved, the District shall
16-15 remain in existence solely for the limited purpose of discharging
16-16 its bonds or other obligations according to their terms.
16-17 SECTION 14. CONTRACTS. (a) To protect the public interest,
16-18 the District may contract with the City or County for the provision
16-19 of law enforcement services by the County or the City on a fee
16-20 basis in the District.
16-21 (b) The City, the County, or any other political
16-22 subdivision, without further authorization, may contract with the
16-23 District to implement a project of the District or to aid and
16-24 assist the District in providing the services authorized under this
16-25 Act. Any such contract may be for such duration and on such terms
17-1 and conditions as the parties determine. The contract may be
17-2 payable from taxes or any other sources of revenues which may be
17-3 available for such purpose. Any such contract may provide that
17-4 taxes or other revenues collected at a project of the District or
17-5 at project in a tax incremental reinvestment zone or from persons
17-6 using or purchasing commodities or services at any such project a
17-7 project may be paid or rebated to the District under the terms
17-8 specified in the contract.
17-9 (c) The District may enter into contracts, leases, and
17-10 agreements with and accept or make grants and loans to or from the
17-11 United States and its departments and agencies, the state and its
17-12 agencies, counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions,
17-13 public or private corporations, including a nonprofit corporation
17-14 created under a resolution of the Board, and other persons and may
17-15 perform all acts necessary for the full exercise of the powers
17-16 vested in it on terms and conditions and for the term the Board may
17-17 determine to be advisable.
17-18 SECTION 15. COMPETITIVE BIDDING. The District shall
17-19 contract for services, improvements, or the purchase of materials,
17-20 machinery, equipment, supplies, or other property in excess of
17-21 $25,000 as provided by Subchapter k of Chapter 375, Local
17-22 Government Code.
17-23 SECTION 16. REINVESTMENT ZONES. All or any part of the area
17-24 of the District is eligible to be included in a tax incremental
17-25 reinvestment zone created by the City under the provisions of
18-1 Chapter 311, Tax Code, or included in a tax abatement reinvestment
18-2 zone created by the City under the provisions of Chapter 312, Tax
18-3 Code.
18-4 SECTION 17. NOTICE AND CONSENT. The legislature finds that:
18-5 (1) proper and legal notice of the intention to
18-6 introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
18-7 Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
18-8 copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
18-9 officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
18-10 by the constitution and laws of this state, including the governor
18-11 of Texas, who has submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Water
18-12 Commission;
18-13 (2) the Texas Water Commission has filed its
18-14 recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, lieutenant
18-15 governor, and speaker of the house of representatives within the
18-16 required time;
18-17 (3) the general law relating to consent by political
18-18 subdivisions to the creation of districts with conservation,
18-19 reclamation, and road powers and the inclusion of land in those
18-20 districts has been complied with; and
18-21 (4) all requirements of the constitution and laws of
18-22 this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with
18-23 respect to the notice, introduction and passage of this Act have
18-24 been fulfilled and accomplished.
18-25 SECTION 18. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. The provisions of this Act
19-1 are severable, and if any provision or part of this Act or the
19-2 application thereof to any person or circumstance is held by a
19-3 court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional
19-4 for any reason, the remainder of this Act and the application of
19-5 that provision or part of this Act to other persons or
19-6 circumstances is not affected.
19-7 SECTION 19. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation
19-8 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
19-9 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
19-10 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
19-11 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.