BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1859

83R6514 MMC-F

By: Huffman

 

Intergovernmental Relations

 

4/15/2013

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 1859 creates Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 529 (district) as a political subdivision of the State of Texas.  The district will construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, and recreational facilities to serve property within the district, which is located within the corporate limits of the City of Houston, in Harris County.   The district will be a municipal utility district operating pursuant to Chapters 49 (Provisions Applicable to All Districts) and 54 (Municipal Utility Districts), Water Code.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1859 amends current law relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 529, grants a limited power of eminent domain, provides authority to issue bonds, and provides authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

 

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 8444, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8444.  HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 529

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 529 (district).  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation, purpose, and approval of the district (Sections 8444.001-8444.006);

 

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors, including the appointment of temporary directors (Sections 8444.051-8444.052);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8444.101-8444.103); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8444.151-8444.202).

 

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. (a)  Provides that if this Act does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house, Subchapter C, Chapter 8444, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is amended by adding Section 8444.104, as follows:

 

Sec. 8444.104.  NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER.  Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

(b)  Provides that this section is not intended to be an expression of a legislative interpretation of the requirements of Section 17(c) (relating to authorizing the legislature to enact a general, local, or special law granting the power of eminent domain to an entity only on a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house), Article I, Texas Constitution.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.