BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1859

By: Huffman

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, certain land located within the corporate limits of the City of Houston is undeveloped. Interested parties contend that the area would benefit from the creation of a municipal utility district. S.B. 1859 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

S.B. 1859 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 529, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election and municipal consent.  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.