BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 3982

80R14781 HLT-F                                                                                          By: Dutton (Whitmire)

                                                                                                               Intergovernmental Relations

                                                                                                                                            5/17/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 3982 creates the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 494 (district) to encompass an area of land inside the corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas. As a municipal utility district (MUD), the district is authorized by Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources and Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts), Article 16, and Section 52 (Counties, Cities or Other Political Corporations or Subdivisions; Lending Credit; Grant; Bonds), Article 3, Texas Constitution, and governed by Chapter 49 (Provisions Applicable to All Districts) and Chapter 54 (Municipal Utility District), Water Code. The district would serve as a financing vehicle to purchase, acquire, and construct public infrastructure, such as water, sewer, drainage, and roadway facilities.

 

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.  Amends Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8214, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8214.  HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 494

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 494 (district) in Harris County, Texas. Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation, definitions, nature, approval of the district, and initial district territory (Sections 8214.001-8214.020);

 

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8214.021-8214.100);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8214.101-8214.150); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose taxes and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8214.151-8214.201).

 

Authorizes the use of eminent domain by the district.

 

SECTION 2. Sets forth the initial boundaries of the district.

 

SECTION 3. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.