AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of S.B. 235 is to create a municipal management district (MMD) that will promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, arts, economic development, safety, and public welfare within a defined area in the City of Rowlett, Texas. MMDs facilitate economic development and reduce the city's financial risk. MMDs have the ability to levy taxes, assessments, or impact fees; enter into agreements to implement project plans; contract with overlapping tax increment reinvestment zones; and monetize cash flow by issuing debt.
Only district property owners pay taxes, assessments, and fees to fund capital improvements and maintenance within the district. S.B. 235 creates a district that can provide a wide range of services and improvements related to economic development; unemployment reduction; business recruitment; promotion of health and sanitation; public safety, traffic control, and recreation; landscaping, lighting, and signs; streets, walkways, and drainage; solid waste, water, sewer, and power facilities; parks, historic areas, and works of art; and parking facilities and transit systems.
S.B. 235 provides for an initial board of directors, sets the initial geographic boundaries of the MMD, and defines its powers.
As proposed, S.B. 235 amends current law relating to the creation of the Rowlett Waterfront Entertainment Management District and provides authority to impose a tax, levy an assessment, and issue bonds.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 3896, as follows:
CHAPTER 3896. ROWLETT WATERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Rowlett Waterfront Entertainment Management District (district) in the City of Rowlett (city). Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:
Creation, purpose, and approval of the district (Sections 3896.001-3896.050);
Size, composition, appointment, compensation, and terms of the board of directors of the district, including the naming of the initial directors (Sections 3896.051-3896.100);
Powers and duties of the district (Sections 3896.101-3896.150);
General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and issue bonds and
obligations for the district (Sections 3896.151-3896.200); and
Dissolution of the district by the city (Sections 3896.201-3896.203).
Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.
SECTION 2. Sets forth 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.