SRC-PNG H.B. 1304 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 1304
76R3638 WP-FBy: Gray (Jackson)
Natural Resources
4/14/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, the Bacliff Municipal Utility District of Galveston County (MUD)
does not have the authority to install, operate, and maintain street
lighting.  This bill would grant the MUD the authority, subject to voter
approval, to install, operate, and maintain street lighting, and would
authorize the MUD to assess its costs as an additional charge in the
monthly billing of customers. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1304 grants the Bacliff Municipal Utility District of
Galveston County (MUD) the authority, subject to voter approval, to
install, operate, and maintain street lighting, and authorizes the MUD to
assess its costs as an additional charge in the monthly billing of
customers. 

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 Article 8280-286, V.T.C.S., by adding Section 2A, as
follows: 

Sec.  2A.  Authorizes the Bacliff Municipal Utility District of Galveston
County (MUD) to install, operate, and maintain street lighting within a
public utility easement or public rightof-way inside MUD boundaries, if the
actions are approved by a majority of voters of the MUD voting at an
election called and held for that purpose.  Authorizes the MUD to assess
the cost of installing, operating, and maintaining the street lighting as
an additional charge in the monthly billings of the MUD's customers.
Prohibits the MUD from using money from taxes or bonds supported by taxes
for a purpose described by this section.  Provides that this section does
not authorize the MUD to install, operate, or maintain street lighting on a
rightof-way that is part of the designated state highway system. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 2A, Article 8280-286, V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection (c), to
provide that this section does not authorize the MUD to install, operate,
or maintain street lighting on a right-of-way that is part of the
designated state highway system.