BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3860

By: Oliveira

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In Port Isabel, there is an undeveloped area of waterfront property known as the Fingers. Because the property is undeveloped there are significant economic development opportunities that are not being realized. There is significant erosion in the area which currently lacks seawalls. The lack of such seawalls is further adversely affecting water quality in the area known for fishing and tourism.

H.B. 3860 creates the Port Isabel Improvement District No. 1, 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 C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 3906, as follows:

CHAPTER 3906. PORT ISABEL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Port Isabel Improvement District No. 1 (district) in the City of Port Isabel (city). Sets forth the standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation, approval, purpose, and territory of the district; and eligibility for inclusion in special zones (Sections 3906.001-3906.050);

Size, composition, appointment procedure, compensation, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 3906.051-3906.100);

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 3906.101-3906.150);

Improvement projects by the district necessary to accomplish a public purpose (Sections 3906.151-3906.200);

General financial provisions (Sections 3906.201-3906.250);

Authority to impose taxes and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 3906.251-3906.300);

District as a tax increment reinvestment zone (Sections 3906.301-350); and

Dissolution of the district (Sections 3906.351-3906.353).

Authorizes the district limited eminent domain power for construction of a seawall under certain circumstances.

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, 2011.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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