SRC-JEC S.B. 1796 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1796
77R9781 SGA-FBy: Brown, J. E. "Buster"
Intergovernmental Relations
4/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Baybrook Municipal Utility District provides water, sewage,
and drainage infrastructure to serve commercial development around the
Baybrook Mall in southeast Houston. As proposed, S.B. 1796 authorizes the
district to exercise road utility district authority to construct and
finance certain road projects. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  AUTHORITY.  Grants certain powers and authority to the Baybrook
Municipal Utility District (district). 

SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board," "city," and "district."

SECTION 3.  FINDING OF BENEFIT.  Sets forth legislative findings.

SECTION 4.  EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN LAW.  Exempts the district from the
requirements of Chapter 441B (Creation of District) or 441C (Acquisition of
District Powers by Conservation and Reclamation District), Transportation
Code. 

SECTION 5.  POWERS.  Sets forth the rights, powers, privileges, authority,
duties, and functions of the district.  Provides that if any provision of
general law is in conflict or inconsistent with this Act or Chapter 49
(Provisions Applicable to All Districts) or 54 (Municipal Utility
Districts), Water Code, this Act and Chapter 49 and 54, Water Code,
prevail.  Provides that this Act prevails in any conflict with Chapter 49
or 54, Water Code. 

SECTION 6.  PROJECTS.  Sets forth projects authorized under this Act and
requirements relating to those projects.  Authorizes the district to convey
a completed project to the City of Houston (city). Requires the city, if a
project is conveyed to it, to be responsible for all future maintenance and
upkeep, and releases the district from any further responsibility for the
project, its maintenance, or its upkeep. 

SECTION 7.  BONDS.  Authorizes the district to issue bonds, notes, and
other obligations.  Sets forth requirements regarding the issuance of
bonds, notes, and other obligations. 

SECTION 8.  MAINTENANCE TAX.  Authorizes the district to impose a
maintenance tax not to exceed a certain amount, contingent on approval by
the voters of the district. 

SECTION 9.  DISTRICT CONTRACTS.  Authorizes the district to make contracts
in the same manner as a road utility district under Chapter 441E (Powers
and Duties), Transportation Code. 

 SECTION 10.  FINDINGS RELATED TO PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS.  Provides that
all procedural requirements regarding the notice, introduction, and passage
of this Act have been fulfilled and accomplished. 

SECTION 11.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.