BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1872

By: Zaffirini

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the late 1990s, the City of Austin purchased the Onion Creek Metropolitan Park with the goal of developing the land as parkland and as woods and trails. Interested parties note that nearly 15 years later, the park is undeveloped because the city does not have enough funding to maintain its existing park system, much less improve upon or address the maintenance needs of the park. There is undeveloped land to the south of the park that is slated for development into a master-planned community that will consist of residential units and neighborhood retail and office space. The parties contend that the area would benefit from the creation of a district to develop, operate, and maintain recreational park amenities and other services. S.B. 1872 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. 1872 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Onion Creek Metro Park District, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election and municipal consent, to provide certain improvements, projects, and services for public use and benefit. The bill provides for, among other provisions, the eligibility for all or any part of the area of the district to be included in special zones, the applicability of municipal management district laws, and the location of improvement projects. The district's powers and duties include, subject to certain requirements, the authorization to issue obligations and impose assessments and property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The district is prohibited from exercising the power of eminent domain. The bill establishes that the City of Austin is not required to pay a bond, note, or other obligation of the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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