BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1354

By: Farney

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, certain land located outside the corporate limits of any other city and within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Leander is proposed to be developed into single-family residential homes, and water, sewer, drainage, and road services are needed for the development.  H.B. 1354 seeks to address this issue by creating the Leander Hills Municipal Utility District of Williamson County.

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. 1354 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Leander Hills Municipal Utility District of Williamson County, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election, municipal consent, and a certain development agreement. The bill grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for the effect of annexation by or inclusion within the corporate boundaries of the City of Leander. The bill authorizes the district, subject to certain requirements, to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill, if it does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house, prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.