BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                            S.B. 1743

                                                                                                                                            By: Eltife

                                                                                        Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The Red River Redevelopment Authority (RRRA) was created in response to the closure of a part of the Red River Army Depot under the federal Base Realignment and Closure Act.  The City of Texarkana and Bowie County developed a plan to turn the depot into a business and industrial park, now known as the Red River Commerce Park.  Statutory change is necessary to give RRRA additional powers toward further potential redevelopment of the area.

 

S.B. 1743 authorizes RRRA to exercise certain additional powers provided under the Development Corporation Act of 1979 and to a rural and urban transit district.  This bill prohibits RRRA from imposing a tax and limits its use of the power of eminent domain.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 3503, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding the  following:

 

            Sec. 3503.1015.  ADDITIONAL POWERS OF OTHER ENTITIES; BONDS.

            Authorizes the Red River Redevelopment Authority (RRRA) to exercise the

            powers given to the governing body of a unit, as defined by Section 2,  Development        Corporation Act of 1979, and to issue bonds for a purpose specified by that Act, an `    emergency services district under Chapter 775,  Health and Safety Code, and a rural or          urban transit district under Chapter 458, Transportation Code.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 3503, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding the following:

           

            Sec. 3503.108.  LIMITATION ON USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN.  Prohibits the            authority from using eminent domain, except as provided by Section 3503.103, Special     District Laws Code.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Subchapter D, chapter 3503, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding the following: 

 

            Section 3503.155.  NO TAXING POWER.  Prohibits the authority from imposing a tax.

 

SECTION 4.  Provides that proof of publication of the constitutional notice required to introduce this Act under Section 59(d), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, has been furnished.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2007.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.