BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3925

By: Smith

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 213 was created several decades ago but that, due to the development plan for the district territory, it is now necessary to divide the district in two to better serve area needs.  H.B. 3925 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. 3925, on its effective date, dissolves the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 213, expires the terms of the directors of the district, and transfers any assets of the district, including any tax or assessment revenue, that remain after payment of the district's liabilities to the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 213-A.

H.B. 3925 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create, respectively, the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 213-A and the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 213-B, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election and municipal consent.  The bill grants the districts the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for certain annexation of the districts by a municipality and for the division of the districts. The bill authorizes the districts, 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 districts from exercising the power of eminent domain.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.