BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3886

By: Davis, John

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, certain land located within the corporate limits of the City of Houston in Harris County is undeveloped. Interested parties contend that the area would benefit from the creation of a water control and improvement district. H.B. 3886 seeks to address this issue.

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. 3886 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 161, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election and municipal consent.  The bill grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for the applicability of certain law governing metropolitan water control and improvement districts. 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 receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house, prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain outside the district boundaries to acquire a site for a water treatment plant, water storage facility, wastewater treatment plant, or wastewater disposal plant; a site for a park, swimming pool, or other recreational facility; an exclusive easement through a county regional park; or a site or easement for a road project. The bill, if it does not receive such a vote, 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.