BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                     C.S.S.B. 1984

                                                                                                                                              By: Ellis

                                                                                                                                    County Affairs

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, the City of Pearland is seeking more funding for economic development projects and services.

 

C.S.S.B. 1984 creates the Spectrum Management District (the “District”) as a political subdivision of the State of Texas to administer and provide funding for economic development projects and services in the District, which is located in the corporate limits of the City of Pearland and in Harris County.  The District will be a municipal management district similar to those operating under Chapter 375, Local Government Code, and Title 4, Special Districts Code. 

 

 

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

 

C.S.S.B. 1984 adds Chapter 3840, to Subtitle C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws Code, which creates the District and will govern the powers and duties of the District. The bill provides that the District has the general powers of a municipal management district under Chapter 375, Local Government Code, to the extent such provisions do not conflict with the Act.  CSSB 1984 describes the governing body of the District and describes additional powers of the District, including, but not limited to, economic development powers of the District. CSSB 1984 authorizes the District to impose assessments, ad valorem taxes, and sales and use taxes, and to issue bonds and other obligations payable from any money of the District, subject to the approval of voters at an election held for such purposes. CSSB 1984 describes the geographical boundaries of the District and makes legislative findings regarding the fulfillment of procedural requirements with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of the Act.

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

 

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

C.S.S.B. 1984 changes the order of the names of the initial board of directors, adds a provision clarifying the District’s authority to construct, purchase, sell or lease property, provides clarifying language with respect to the District’s authority to impose sales and use taxes, and adds other non-substantive clarifying revisions.