SRC-JRN S.B. 1451 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1451
By: Nelson
Intergovernmental Relations
4-22-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, once a county development district is established, 
land may be added or excluded from 
the district by order of the county commissioners court.  Concern 
exists that this action may be done 
without any direct input by voters in the district or in an area 
proposed for attachment.  This bill 
provides that if a commissioners court makes a finding to add 
territory to a county development 
district, it must conduct an election of voters residing in the 
district and in the territory proposed to 
be added.
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1451 provides that if a commissioners court 
makes a finding to add territory to 
a county development district, it must conduct an election of 
voters residing in the district and in the 
territory proposed to be added.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a 
state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 312.638, Tax Code, by amending 
Subsection (b) and adding 
Subsections (c)-(e), to delete the requirement for the 
commissioners court to order adding or 
excluding certain land.  Requires the court to enter an order 
excluding land, if the commissioners 
court makes a finding to exclude land from the county development 
district (district).  Requires the 
commissioners court to call and hold an election for the purpose 
of adding land in the territory to be 
added to the district and an election in the existing territory 
of the district, if the commissioners court 
makes a finding to add land to the district.  Requires elections 
to be held on the same date.  Requires 
the commissioners court to set the date of the elections in 
accordance with Section 41.001, Election 
Code.  Requires the commissioners court to order the expansion of 
the district only if a majority of 
the voters voting in each election approve the expansion of the 
district.  Requires the ballots to be 
printed in a certain manner to provide for voting for or against 
the proposition.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.