BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                              C.S.H.B. 3994

                                                                                                                         By: King, Phil (Estes)

International Relations & Trade

5/18/2007

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

C.S.H.B. 3994 creates the Morning Star Ranch Municipal Utility District Nos. 1 and 2 of Parker County (district) in an area of land inside the corporate limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city of Forth Worth, 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

ARTICLE 1.  MORNING STAR RANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1

SECTION 1.01.  Amends Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8229, as follows:

CHAPTER 8229.  MORNING STAR RANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1      OF PARKER COUNTY

Sets forth the standard language for the creation of the Morning Star Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 1 of Parker County (district No. 1).  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of district No. 1 (Sections 8229.001 - 8229.020);

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of district No. 1 (Sections 8229.021 - 8229.100);

Powers and duties of district No. 1, including authority to exercise the power of eminent domain (Sections 8229.101 - 8229.150); and

General financial provisions and authority to impose taxes and to issue bonds and obligations for district No. 1 (Sections 8229.151 - 8229.201).

Authorizes the use of eminent domain by the district. 

SECTION 1.02.  Sets forth the initial boundaries of district No. 1.

ARTICLE 2.  MORNING STAR RANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2

SECTION 2.01.  Amends Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8230, as follows:

CHAPTER 8230.  MORNING STAR RANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2      OF PARKER COUNTY

Sets forth the standard language for the creation of the Morning Star Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 2 of Parker County (district No. 2).  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of district No. 2 (Sections 8230.001 - 8230.020);

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of district No. 2 (Sections 8230.021 - 8230.100);

Powers and duties of district No. 2, including authorization to exercise the power of eminent domain (Sections 8230.101 - 8230.150); and

General financial provisions and authority to impose taxes and to issue bonds and obligations for district No. 2 (Sections 8230.151 - 8230.201).

Authorizes the use of eminent domain by the district. 

SECTION 2.02.  Sets forth the initial boundaries of district No. 2.

ARTICLE 3.  NOTICE; EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 3.01.  Provides that all requirements of the constitution and 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 3.02.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.