BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4779

By: Gattis

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 3 B&J Municipal Utility District is located exclusively in Williamson County.

H.B. 4779 grants the district the authority to undertake certain road projects and places conditions on the issuance of bonds by the district for such projects.

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

H.B. 4779 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to authorize the 3 B&J Municipal Utility District to design, acquire, construct, finance, issue bonds for, improve, operate, maintain, and convey to Texas, a county, or a municipality for operation and maintenance macadamized, graveled, or paved roads, or improvements, including storm drainage, in aid of those roads. The bill requires a road project to meet all applicable standards, requirements, and regulations, and requires the Texas Transportation Commission to approve the plans and specifications of the road project if the state will maintain or operate the road. The bill prohibits the total principal amount of bonds or other obligations issued or incurred to finance road projects and payable from property taxes from exceeding one-fourth of the assessed value of the real property in the district at the time of issuance. The bill prohibits the district from issuing bonds payable from property taxes to finance a road project unless the issuance is approved by a vote of a two-thirds majority of the district voters voting at an election held for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.