BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1039

81R6408 SLB-F                                                                                                       By: Patrick, Dan

                                                                                                               Intergovernmental Relations

                                                                                                                                            3/23/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, the land located within the boundaries of Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 478 (district) is underdeveloped.

 

As proposed,  S.B. 1039 creates the Harris County Municipal District No. 478 as a political subdivision of the State of Texas.  The district will construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, road, and recreational facilities to serve property within the district, which is located entirely within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Harris County.  The district will be a municipal utility district operating pursuant to Chapters 49 (Provision Applicable to All Districts) and 54 (Municipal Utility Districts), Water Code.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8334, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8334.  HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 478

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 478 (district) in Harris County.  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8334.001-8334.050);

 

Size, composition. election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8334.051-8334.100);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8334.101-8334.150); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8334.151-8334.203).

 

Prohibits the use of eminent domain outside the district by the district to acquire a site or easement for a road project under Section 8334.103 or a recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462 (Definitions), Water Code.

 

SECTION 2.  Sets forth the initial boundaries of the district.

 

SECTION 3.  Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the 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 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.