BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 1483

By: Huffman

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

This bill will create the Galveston Municipal Utility District No. 76 (district) in the corporate limits of the City of Galveston in Galveston County.  The district will construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, road, recreational, and navigation facilities to serve property within the district.  The district will be a municipal utility district.

 

S.B. 1483 creates the district, provides authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; and grants a limited 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 Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8332, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8332. GALVESTON COUNTY MUNICIPAL

UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 76

 

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Galveston Municipal Utility District No. 76 (district) in Galveston County.  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8332.001-8332.050);

 

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district

(Sections 8332.051-8332.100);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8332.101-8332.150); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8332.151-8332.203).

 

Prohibits the exercise of the power of eminent domain outside the district by the district to acquire a site or easement for a road project under Section 8332.103, a recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462 (Definitions), Water Code, or a navigation facility described by Section 8332.105 (Certain Navigation Improvements).

 

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.  Provides the effective date of this Act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

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, 2009.