AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Rio de Vida Municipal Utility District No. 1 (district) comprises approximately 2,130 acres and is located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Austin.  The district is proposed to have all the powers and duties of a traditional municipal utility district as well as a small number of economic development powers traditionally granted to municipal management districts.  The district will not have the authority to condemn property and will have the authority to divide into multiple districts within the footprint of the district to be created.  The district proposes to finance improvements through the imposition of an ad valorem property tax and the levy of a sales and use tax and a hotel occupancy tax.

 

The purpose of the bill is to create the district subject to the adoption by the Austin City Council of an ordinance expressing consent.

 

C.S.S.B. 768 amends current law relating to the creation of the Rio de Vida Municipal Utility District No. 1 and provides authority to impose a tax and issue bonds.

 

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 8379, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8379.  RIO DE VIDA MUNICIPAL UTILITY

DISTRICT NO. 1

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Rio de Vida Municipal Utility District No. 1 (district) in the City of Austin (city).  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation, purpose, and approval of the district (Sections 8379.001-8379.050);

 

Size, composition, appointment, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8379.051-8379.100);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8379.101-8379.150);

 

Division of the district into multiple districts (Sections 8379.151-8379.200);

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8379.201-8379.400); and

 

Municipal annexation and dissolution of the district (Sections 3867.401-3867.405).

 

Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

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.