83R979 JXC-D
 
  By: Rodriguez S.B. No. 332
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to commissioners court oversight of certain emergency
  services districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K. DISTRICTS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
         Sec. 775.301.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter,
  "commissioners court" means the commissioners court of a county
  that borders the United Mexican States and has a population of more
  than 800,000.
         Sec. 775.302.  APPLICABILITY; SUBCHAPTER SUPERSEDES. (a)
  This subchapter applies only to a district that is located wholly or
  partly in a county that borders the United Mexican States and has a
  population of more than 800,000.
         (b)  This subchapter controls over a provision of this
  chapter or other law to the extent of a conflict.
         Sec. 775.303.  POWERS RELATING TO DISTRICT PROPERTY,
  FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT. (a)  With the approval of the
  commissioners court, the board may construct, condemn, acquire,
  lease, add to, maintain, operate, develop, regulate, sell,
  exchange, and convey any property, property right, equipment,
  facility, or system to maintain a building or other facility or to
  provide a service required by the district.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, the board may, with the
  approval of the commissioners court, lease undeveloped real
  property for not more than 50 years to provide for the development
  and construction of facilities designed to generate revenue for the
  financial benefit of the district.  The board, directly or through
  a nonprofit corporation, may contract or enter into a joint venture
  with a public or private entity as necessary to enter into a lease
  under this subsection.
         (c)  The board may not borrow money or make other financial
  arrangements under Section 775.085 unless the commissioners court
  approves the transaction.
         Sec. 775.304.  CONTRACTING AUTHORITY. (a) With the
  approval of the commissioners court, the board may, in performing
  its powers under Section 775.303, contract or cooperate with:
               (1)  the federal government;
               (2)  this state;
               (3)  another governmental entity; or
               (4)  a privately owned or operated hospital.
         (b)  The district may not enter into a contract with a local
  government under Section 775.0366 unless the commissioners court
  approves that contract.
         (c)  The board shall encourage and promote participation by
  all sectors of the business community, including small businesses
  and businesses owned by members of a minority group or by women, in
  the process by which the district enters into contracts. The board
  shall develop a plan for the district to identify and remove
  barriers that do not have a definite or objective relationship to
  quality or competence and that unfairly discriminate against small
  businesses and businesses owned by members of a minority group or by
  women. These barriers may include contracting procedures and
  contract specifications or conditions.
         Sec. 775.305.  COUNTY AUTHORITY TO SELL, LEASE, AND PURCHASE
  FACILITIES FOR DISTRICT PURPOSES. (a) The commissioners court may
  sell real or personal property in order to enter into a contract to:
               (1)  lease or rent buildings, land, facilities,
  equipment, or services from others for district purposes;
               (2)  construct, repair, renovate, improve, or enlarge
  buildings, land, facilities, or equipment for district purposes;
  and
               (3)  pay regular monthly utility bills, including
  electricity, gas, and water bills, for the leased or rented
  buildings, land, facilities, equipment, or services.
         (b)  The commissioners court may pay for the facilities,
  equipment, and services and for the regular monthly utility bills
  for those facilities, equipment, and services from the county's
  general fund if a majority of the commissioners court considers the
  facilities, equipment, and services essential to the proper
  administration of the county.
         (c)  A construction project under this section shall be let
  by contract. The contract must contain the prevailing wage for
  mechanics, laborers, and other persons employed in the project.
         (d)  On or before the expiration of the lease or rental
  contract, the county may purchase the facilities with county
  general funds if a majority of the commissioners court considers
  the purchase price reasonable.
         Sec. 775.306.  PURCHASING PROCEDURES. A district shall
  purchase items in accordance with the same procedures and subject
  to the same requirements applicable to a county under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 262, Local Government Code. For the purposes of this
  section, a district is treated as if it were a county.
         Sec. 775.307.  BUDGET. The board shall prepare an annual
  budget. The board shall present the annual budget to the
  commissioners court for final approval.
         Sec. 775.308.  AD VALOREM TAX. (a)  With respect to the
  imposition or collection of an ad valorem tax imposed for the
  benefit of a district to which this subchapter applies, the
  commissioners court has the authority assigned by law to the board
  of the district, including the authority to:
               (1)  adopt an exemption, partial exemption, or other
  form of relief from an ad valorem tax;
               (2)  elect to tax property that would otherwise be
  exempt from an ad valorem tax;
               (3)  exercise a power granted to a taxing unit under
  Section 6.30, Tax Code; and
               (4)  determine whether the district may call an
  election under Section 775.0745 to increase the district's tax
  rate.
         (b)  The board of a district to which this subchapter applies
  may not exercise a power granted by Subsection (a) to the
  commissioners court with respect to the imposition or collection of
  an ad valorem tax imposed for the benefit of the district.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.