SRC-SLL S.B. 1809 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1809
By: Barrientos
Natural Resources
4-7-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, municipal utility districts (district) are not specifically
granted the power to enter into agreements with municipalities which
require payments by the district to the municipalities for purposes beyond
the scope of district activities contemplated in a consent agreement
creating an individual district.  Wells Branch Municipal Utility District
was created through the consent agreement process.  This bill will
authorize the Wells Branch Municipal Utility District to enter into a
contract with a municipality, requiring payments to the municipality, for
mutually agreeable purposes. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1809 authorizes the Wells Branch Municipal Utility
District to enter into a contract with a municipality, requiring payments
to the municipality, for mutually agreeable purposes. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITION.  Defines "district."

SECTION 2. PURPOSE.  Provides that the purpose of this Act is to meet the
special needs of Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (district), which
was created and operates under Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas
Constitution. 

SECTION 3. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.  Provides that the legislature finds that
there exists a public necessity to amend the law governing the district
and that this Act will further the conservation and development of the
natural resources of the state within the district. 

SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 42B, Local Government Code, by adding Section
42.049, as follows: 

Sec.  42.049.  AUTHORITY OF WELLS BRANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT.
Authorizes the district to take certain actions.  Authorizes a
municipality to contract with the district to accomplish the purposes set
forth in Subsection (a).  Sets forth regulations regarding contracts
entered into by the district.  Authorizes the district to make annual
appropriations from its operations and maintenance tax or other revenues
lawfully available to the district to make payments to a municipality
under a contract entered into under this section. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.