80R13671 MXM-F
 
  By: Smith of Harris, Noriega, et al. H.B. No. 3011
 
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3011:
 
  By:  Harless C.S.H.B. No. 3011
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of ship channel security districts by
certain populous counties.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Title 4, Water Code, is amended by adding Chapter
68 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 68.  SHIP CHANNEL SECURITY DISTRICTS
SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
       Sec. 68.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
             (1)  "Board" means a district's board of directors.
             (2)  "District" means a ship channel security district
created under this chapter.
             (3)  "Security project" means a project promoting or
aiding security in a district.
             (4)  "Security service" means a service promoting or
aiding security in a district.
       Sec. 68.002.  NATURE OF DISTRICT; PURPOSE. A district is a
special district and political subdivision of this state.  A
district is created under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas
Constitution, and is essential to accomplish the purposes of that
section and Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution.
       Sec. 68.003.  PUBLIC PURPOSE OF SECURITY PROJECTS. A
security project is owned, used, and held for public purposes by the
district.
       Sec. 68.004.  LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. This chapter
shall be liberally construed in conformity with the findings and
purposes stated in this chapter.
       Sec. 68.005.  GENERAL WATER DISTRICT LAW NOT APPLICABLE.
Chapter 49 does not apply to a district.
[Sections 68.006-68.050 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER B. FACILITIES
       Sec. 68.051.  APPLICABILITY TO FACILITIES. (a) In this
section:
             (1)  "Chemical manufacturers' association" means an
association of chemical manufacturers, refiners, and supporting
distribution and terminal facility managers that operate in a
district.
             (2)  "Chemical manufacturers' association facility"
means a facility owned by a member of a chemical manufacturers'
association.
             (3)  "Mutual aid organization" means an organization
that operates in a district and whose:
                   (A)  primary purpose is the promotion of social
welfare by providing assistance for the common good and general
welfare to and within the communities of its members for emergency
fire protection and other public safety matters; and
                   (B)  members include various industries and
governmental entities with the resources required to participate in
those activities.
       (b)  This chapter applies to the following types of
facilities in the district:
             (1)  a chemical manufacturers' association facility;
             (2)  a mutual aid organization facility;
             (3)  a facility as defined in 46 U.S.C. Section 70101;
             (4)  a facility described by 33 C.F.R. Section
105.105(a);
             (5)  a facility subject to an area maritime
transportation security plan under 46 U.S.C. Section 70103(b);
             (6)  a facility subject to 40 C.F.R. Part 112;
             (7)  a general shipyard facility as defined by 46
C.F.R. Section 298.2;
             (8)  a facility included in one or more of the following
categories and codes of the 2007 North American Industry
Classification System:
                   (A)  crude petroleum and natural gas extraction,
211111;
                   (B)  petroleum refineries, 324110;
                   (C)  petroleum manufacturing, 325110;
                   (D)  petroleum lubricating oil and grease
manufacturing, 324191;
                   (E)  all other petroleum and coal products
manufacturing, 324199;
                   (F)  all other chemical and other manufacturing,
311111-339999;
                   (G)  petroleum bulk stations and terminals,
424710;
                   (H)  plastics, chemical, and petroleum
wholesalers, 424610, 424690, and 424720;
                   (I)  transportation, including rail, water, and
road transportation and pipelines, 486110-486990, 488210, 488390,
and 488490;
                   (J)  port and harbor operations, 488310;
                   (K)  marine cargo handling, 488320;
                   (L)  warehousing and storage, including general,
refrigerated, farm and other, 493110, 493120, 493130, and 493190;
and
                   (M)  deep sea and coastal freight and passenger
transportation, 483111-483114; and
             (9)  a facility described by Subsection (c).
       (c)  After the district is created, the commissioners court
that created the district by order may provide for this chapter to
apply to any other facility that the district by petition requests
the court to add.
       (d)  This chapter does not apply to the following facilities:
             (1)  a residential property, including a single-family
or multifamily residence;
             (2)  a retail or service business that is not a facility
as defined by 46 U.S.C. Section 70101; or
             (3)  a public access facility as defined by 33 C.F.R.
Section 101.105.
       Sec. 68.052.  DESIGNEES FOR FACILITY OWNERS. A facility's
owner may designate a person:
             (1)  to act for the owner in connection with a district;
and
             (2)  to bind the owner under this chapter.
[Sections 68.053-68.100 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER C. CREATION
       Sec. 68.101.  DISTRICT CREATION BY CERTAIN POPULOUS COUNTIES
WITH SHIP CHANNELS. A district may be created only by the
commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or
more that has a ship channel in the county.
       Sec. 68.102.  PETITION FOR CREATION.  A district may be
created only if the commissioners court of the county in which the
district is proposed to be created receives a petition requesting
the district's creation. The petition must be signed by:
             (1)  the owners of a majority of facilities in the
proposed district; and
             (2)  the owners of a majority of the assessed value of
facilities in the proposed district according to the most recent
certified property tax rolls of the county.
       Sec. 68.103.  CONTENTS OF PETITION; DISTRICT TERRITORY. The
petition must:
             (1)  propose a name for the district, which must:
                   (A)  generally describe the location of the
district; and
                   (B)  be of the form "_______ Ship Channel Security
District";
             (2)  state the general nature of the security projects
and security services to be provided by the district; and
             (3)  describe the proposed district territory and the
boundaries of not fewer than four security zones inside the
proposed district.
       Sec. 68.104.  NOTICE OF HEARING; CONTENTS OF NOTICE. (a)  
The commissioners court of the county in which a district is
proposed to be created shall set a date, time, and place for a
hearing to consider the petition received by the commissioners
court.
       (b)  The commissioners court shall issue public notice of the
hearing. The notice must state:
             (1)  the date, time, and place of the hearing; and
             (2)  that any person may appear, present evidence, and
testify for or against the creation of the proposed district.
       (c)  The commissioners court shall publish the notice in a
newspaper of general circulation in the county at least one time at
least 30 days before the hearing date.
       Sec. 68.105.  HEARING. At the hearing, any interested
person may appear in person or by attorney, present evidence, and
offer testimony for or against the creation of the proposed
district.
       Sec. 68.106.  FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. After
the hearing, the commissioners court shall consider whether to
create the proposed district. The commissioners court must make
the following findings before approving a petition requesting
creation of a district:
             (1)  the district will serve a public use and benefit;
             (2)  facilities in the district will benefit from the
security projects and security services proposed to be provided by
the district;
             (3)  the creation of the district is in the public
interest and useful for the protection of facilities in the
district against the threat posed by terrorism; and
             (4)  the creation of the district is necessary to
accomplish the purposes of Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, and
Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and other public
purposes stated in this chapter.
       Sec. 68.107.  ORDER CREATING DISTRICT; CHANGES. (a) If the
commissioners court makes the findings under Section 68.106, the
commissioners court by order shall create the proposed district.
       (b)  The commissioners court may include in the order any
changes or modifications to the proposed district as the court
determines are appropriate.
[Sections 68.108-68.150 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER D. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
       Sec. 68.151.  GOVERNING BODY; COMPOSITION.  A district is
governed by a board of at least 10 directors, appointed or serving
as follows:
             (1)  two directors for each security zone appointed by
the commissioners court of the county and nominated as provided by
Section 68.152;
             (2)  one director appointed for the district at large
by the commissioners court of the county;
             (3)  one director appointed under Section 68.153; and
             (4)  any director serving under Section 68.154.
       Sec. 68.152.  SECURITY ZONE DIRECTORS. (a)  The
commissioners court of the county shall appoint two directors for
each security zone from a list of two persons nominated by a
majority vote of the facility owners in each security zone.  Each
nominated person must be employed by a facility in the zone.
       (b)  After reviewing the list, the commissioners court shall
approve or disapprove the nominations for each security zone.
       (c)  If the commissioners court is not satisfied with the
list provided for a security zone, the facility owners in the
security zone shall provide to the court a new list under Subsection
(a).
       Sec. 68.153.  MUNICIPAL DIRECTOR.  (a)  If there is a
countywide association of mayors and city councils of
municipalities in a county that creates a district, the association
shall appoint one director.
       (b)  If there is not an association described by Subsection
(a), the municipalities in the district shall appoint a director.  
If there is more than one municipality in the district, the
governing body of each municipality by resolution may vote in favor
of a nominated person and a person who receives the votes of a
majority of governing bodies is appointed director.
       (c)  The director appointed under this section must reside in
a municipality adjacent to the largest ship channel in the
district.
       Sec. 68.154.  PORT AUTHORITY; EX OFFICIO DIRECTOR.  (a)  In
this section, "port authority" means a navigation district located
wholly or partly in the security district, and created or operating
under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas
Constitution.
       (b)  If a port authority is located in the district, the
executive director, or a person designated by the executive
director, serves as a director.  If more than one port authority is
located in the district, the executive director, or a person
designated by the executive director, of the port authority with
the largest territory inside the district serves as a director.
       Sec. 68.155.  TERMS; INITIAL DIRECTORS.  (a)  Except as
provided by Subsection (b), directors serve staggered two-year
terms.
       (b)  The initial directors shall stagger their terms, with a
majority of the directors serving two years, and a minority of
directors serving one year. If the initial board has an even number
of directors, the terms are staggered equally.  If the initial
directors cannot agree on the staggering, the directors shall draw
lots to determine the directors who serve one-year terms.
       Sec. 68.156.  VACANCY.  A vacancy in the board is filled by
the remaining directors by appointing a person who meets the
qualifications for the position, who shall serve for the unexpired
term.
       Sec. 68.157.  QUORUM.  For purposes of determining whether a
quorum of the board is present, a vacant board position is not
counted.
       Sec. 68.158.  OFFICERS.  The board shall elect from its
directors a presiding officer, a secretary, and any other officers
the board considers necessary or appropriate.
       Sec. 68.159.  COMPENSATION.  A director is not entitled to
compensation for service on the board, but is entitled to
reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in
carrying out the duties of a director.
       Sec. 68.160.  MEETINGS.  (a)  The board shall determine the
frequency of its meetings and may hold meetings at any time the
board determines.
       (b)  The board shall conduct its meetings in the district.
       Sec. 68.161.  REMOVAL.  The board may remove an appointed
director for misconduct or failure to carry out the director's
duties on receiving a written petition signed by a majority of the
remaining directors.
[Sections 68.162-68.200 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER E. POWERS AND DUTIES
       Sec. 68.201.  GENERAL POWERS OF DISTRICT.  (a)  A district
has all powers necessary or required to accomplish the purposes for
which it was created.
       (b)  A district may do anything necessary, convenient, or
desirable to carry out the powers expressly granted or implied by
this chapter.
       Sec. 68.202.  APPLICABILITY OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT
DISTRICTS LAW. Except as provided by this chapter, a district has
the powers of a district created under Chapter 375, Local
Government Code.
       Sec. 68.203.  RULES. The district may adopt rules to govern
the operation of the district.
       Sec. 68.204.  NAME CHANGE. A board by resolution may change
a district's name.
       Sec. 68.205.  CONTRACTS; GENERALLY. A district may contract
with any person for any district purpose.
       Sec. 68.206.  SECURITY PROJECTS AND SERVICES.  (a)  The board
shall determine what security projects or security services the
district will perform. A security project may include a project
eligible for funding under a port security grant program of the
United States Department of Homeland Security.
       (b)  A district may own, operate, and maintain a security
project or provide a security service as reasonably necessary to
carry out a district power under this chapter.
       (c)  A district may acquire, construct, complete, develop,
own, operate, maintain, and lease a security project or part of a
security project or provide a security service inside and outside
its boundaries.
       Sec. 68.207.  CONTRACTS FOR SECURITY PROJECTS OR SERVICES.
(a) A district may contract with any person to plan, establish,
develop, construct, renovate, maintain, repair, replace, or
operate a security project or to provide a security service.
       (b)  A district may lease to any person a security project or
any part of a security project.
       (c)  A district may contract with any person for the use or
operation of a security project or any part of a security project.
       Sec. 68.208.  CONTRACTS FOR JOINT USE OF SECURITY PROJECT. A
district may contract with any person, public or private, for the
joint use of a security project.
       Sec. 68.209.  CONTRACTS WITH DISTRICT BY GOVERNMENTAL
ENTITY.  This state, a municipality, a county, another political
subdivision of this state, or any other person, without further
authorization, may contract with the district to accomplish any
district purpose.
       Sec. 68.210.  PROPERTY POWERS; GENERALLY. A district may
acquire by grant, purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, and
may hold, use, sell, lease, or dispose of any property, and
licenses, patents, rights, and interests necessary, convenient, or
useful for the full exercise of any of its powers under this
chapter.
       Sec. 68.211.  SUITS. A district may sue and be sued.
       Sec. 68.212.  EXEMPTION FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING LAWS. The
competitive bidding laws of this state do not apply to a district.
       Sec. 68.213.  NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. A district may not
exercise the power of eminent domain.
[Sections 68.214-68.250 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER F. GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
       Sec. 68.251.  GRANTS; LOANS. A district may apply for and
accept a grant or loan from any person, including:
             (1)  the United States;
             (2)  this state; and
             (3)  a political subdivision of this state.
       Sec. 68.252.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. A district may provide
for payment of all expenses incurred in its establishment,
administration, and operation.
       Sec. 68.253.  TAXES PROHIBITED. A district may not impose
any tax, including a property tax or a sales and use tax.
       Sec. 68.254.  BONDS PROHIBITED. A district may not issue
bonds.
[Sections 68.255-68.300 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER G. ASSESSMENTS
       Sec. 68.301.  AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE ASSESSMENT.  The board may
impose an assessment against facilities for any district purpose.
       Sec. 68.302.  PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS. A security project or
security service may be financed under this chapter after a hearing
notice given as required by this subchapter and a public hearing by
the board on the advisability of:
             (1)  the security project or security service; and
             (2)  the proposed assessments.
       Sec. 68.303.  NOTICE OF HEARING. (a)  Not later than the
30th day before the date of the hearing, the district shall provide
notice of the hearing by certified mail, return receipt requested,
to each facility owner at the current address of each facility
according to the appraisal record maintained by the appraisal
district for that facility under Section 25.02, Tax Code.
       (b)  The notice must include:
             (1)  the time and place of the hearing;
             (2)  the general nature of the proposed security
project or security service;
             (3)  the estimated cost of the security project or
security service; and
             (4)  the proposed method of assessment.
       Sec. 68.304.  CONDUCTING HEARING; FINDINGS. (a)  A hearing
on a proposed security project or security service, whether
conducted by the board or a hearing examiner, may be adjourned from
time to time.
       (b)  At the conclusion of the hearing, the board by
resolution shall make findings relating to:
             (1)  the advisability of the security project or
security service;
             (2)  the nature of the security project or security
service;
             (3)  the estimated cost;
             (4)  the facilities benefited;
             (5)  the method of assessment; and
             (6)  the method and time for payment of the assessment.
       (c)  If a hearing examiner is appointed to conduct the
hearing, after conclusion of the hearing, the hearing examiner
shall file with the board a report stating the examiner's findings
and conclusions for the board's consideration.
       Sec. 68.305.  FACILITIES TO BE ASSESSED.  (a)  In accordance
with the findings, the board may impose an assessment against all
the facilities in the district or any portion of the facilities in
the district, and may impose an assessment against fewer facilities
than those proposed for assessment in the hearing notice.
       (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the facilities to
be assessed may not include a facility that is not in the district
at the time of the hearing unless there is an additional hearing
preceded by the required notice.
       (c)  The owner of a facility described by Subsection (b) may
waive the right to notice and an assessment hearing and may agree to
the imposition and payment of assessments at an agreed rate for the
facility.
       Sec. 68.306.  ASSESSMENT RATE CHANGE.  After notice and a
hearing, the board by majority vote may increase or decrease the
rate of assessment.  The board must provide notice of the hearing in
the manner provided by Section 68.303.
       Sec. 68.307.  OBJECTIONS; LEVY OF ASSESSMENT. (a)  At a
hearing on proposed assessments, at any adjournment of the hearing,
or after consideration of the hearing examiner's report, the board
shall hear and rule on all objections to each proposed assessment.
       (b)  The board by majority vote may amend proposed
assessments for any facility.
       (c)  After all objections have been heard and action has been
taken with regard to those objections, the board by resolution
shall impose the assessments on the facilities and shall specify
the method of payment of the assessments and may provide that those
assessments be paid in periodic installments.
       (d)  Periodic installments must be in amounts sufficient to
meet annual costs for security projects or security services
provided by this chapter and continue for the number of years
required to pay for the security projects and security services to
be rendered.
       (e)  If assessments are imposed for more than one security
project or security service, the board may provide that assessments
collected for one security project or security service may be used
for another security project or security service.
       (f)  The board shall establish a procedure for the use or
refund of any assessments in excess of those necessary to finance a
security project or security service for which those assessments
were collected.
       Sec. 68.308.  APPORTIONMENT OF ASSESSMENT. The board shall
apportion the cost of a security project or security service to be
assessed against a facility based on any reasonable assessment plan
that results in imposing fair and equitable shares of the cost.
       Sec. 68.309.  ASSESSMENT ROLL. (a)  Once the estimated total
cost of a security project or security service is determined, the
board shall impose the assessments against each facility against
which an assessment may be imposed in the district. The board may
impose an annual assessment that is lower but not higher than the
initial assessment.
       (b)  The board shall have an assessment roll prepared showing
the assessments against each facility and the board's basis for the
assessment. The assessment roll shall be filed with the secretary
of the board or other officer who performs the function of secretary
and be open for public inspection.
       Sec. 68.310.  SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENTS. After notice and
hearing in the manner required for original assessments, the board
may make supplemental assessments to correct omissions or mistakes
in the assessment:
             (1)  relating to the total cost of the security project
or security service; or
             (2)  covering delinquencies or costs of collection.
       Sec. 68.311.  APPEAL. (a)  Not later than the 30th day after
the date that an assessment is adopted, a facility owner may file a
notice appealing the assessment to the board.
       (b)  The board shall set a date to hear the appeal.
       (c)  Failure to file the notice in the time required by this
section results in loss of the right to appeal the assessment.
       (d)  The board may make a reassessment or new assessment of
the facility if the assessment against the facility is:
             (1)  set aside by a court;
             (2)  found excessive by the board; or
             (3)  determined invalid by the board.
       (e)  A reassessment or new assessment under Subsection
(d)(1) may not violate the court order that set aside the
assessment.
       Sec. 68.312.  APPEAL OF RESOLUTION. (a) A facility against
which an assessment is made by board resolution may appeal the
assessment to a district court in the county in the manner provided
for the appeal of contested cases under Chapter 2001, Government
Code.
       (b)  Review by the district court is by trial de novo.
       Sec. 68.313.  FAILURE TO PAY ASSESSMENT; LIENS FOR
ASSESSMENTS.  (a)  If an assessed facility fails to pay an
assessment as provided in a district's assessment plan, the
district may impose a lien against the facility assessed.
       (b)  An assessment, a reassessment, or an assessment
resulting from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll
by the district, penalties and interest on an assessment or
reassessment, an expense of collection, and reasonable attorney's
fees incurred by the district:
             (1)  are a first and prior lien against the property
assessed;
             (2)  are superior to any other lien or claim other than
a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem
taxes; and
             (3)  are the personal liability of and a charge against
the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
assessment proceedings.
       (c)  The lien is effective from the date of the board's
resolution imposing the assessment until the date the assessment is
paid. The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the
board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
       Sec. 68.314.  DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS. A delinquent
assessment incurs interest, penalties, and attorney's fees in the
same manner as a delinquent ad valorem tax. The owner of a facility
may pay at any time the entire assessment, with interest,
penalties, and attorney's fees that have accrued on the assessment.
       Sec. 68.315.  ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND
NONPROFITS. (a) Except as provided by this section, the district
may not impose an assessment on:
             (1)  a governmental entity, including a municipality,
county, or other political subdivision; or
             (2)  an organization exempt from taxation under Section
501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described
by Section 501(c)(3) of that code.
       (b)  An entity or organization described by Subsection (a)
may contract with a district to pay assessments under terms the
district and the entity or organization consider advisable.
[Sections 68.316-68.350 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER H. DISSOLUTION
       Sec. 68.351.  DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT FOR FAILURE TO IMPOSE
AN ASSESSMENT. A district is dissolved if the district has not
imposed an assessment before the fifth anniversary of the date of
the order creating the district under Section 68.107. The county
that created the district assumes any district debts or assets.
       Sec. 68.352.  DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT BY BOARD VOTE OR OWNER
PETITION.  (a)  The board by majority vote may dissolve the district
at any time.
       (b)  A district may be dissolved as provided by Section
375.262, Local Government Code.
       (c)  The county that created the district assumes any debts
or assets of a dissolved district.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.