BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1932

By: Schwertner

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Williamson-Liberty Hill Municipal Utility District is located exclusively in Williamson County. H.B. 1932 grants the district the authority to undertake certain road projects and places conditions on the exercise of certain authority relating to 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. 1932 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to authorize the Williamson-Liberty Hill Municipal Utility District, under certain constitutional provisions, to design, acquire, construct, finance, issue bonds for, improve, operate, maintain, and convey to the state, 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 construction standards, zoning and subdivision requirements, and regulations of each municipality in whose corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction the road project is located.  The bill requires a road project, if the road project is not located in the corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, to meet all applicable construction standards, subdivision requirements, and regulations of each county in which the road project is located.  The bill requires the Texas Transportation Commission to approve the plans and specifications of the road project if the state will maintain and operate the road.  The bill prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain outside the district to acquire a site or easement for an authorized road project or a recreational facility as defined by the Water Code.

H.B. 1932 prohibits the total principal amount of bonds or other obligations issued or incurred to finance road projects and payable from property taxes from exceeding at the time of issuance one-fourth of the assessed value of the real property in the district. 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.  The bill makes a conforming change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.