BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties explain that the Greater Greenspoint Management District of Harris County, while home to a vibrant business community, has a high percentage of unemployment among area residents. Reports indicate that the Houston region as a whole enjoys a low unemployment rate, around four percent, while the district's unemployment rate remains around 14 percent. Based on this information, the parties have expressed concerns regarding current law not providing the district authority to undertake workforce development programs. H.B. 2200 seeks to amend current law to address this concern.
H.B. 2200 amends current law relating to the powers of the Greater Greenspoint Management District of Harris County.
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 Section 3803.004(d), Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:
(d) Provides that the Greater Greenspoint Management District of Harris County (district) will:
(1) Makes no change to this subdivision;
(2) and (3) Makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; and
(4) eliminate unemployment and underemployment and develop or expand transportation and commerce by providing or by participating with other entities and educational institutions in establishing, equipping, financing, and operating workforce development, workforce education, and job training opportunities.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 3803.051, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:
Sec. 3803.051. BOARD OF DIRECTORS; TERMS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further change to this subsection.
(b) Authorizes the board of directors of the district (board) to increase or decrease the number of directors on the board, but only if it is in the best interest of the district to do so. Prohibits the board from increasing the number of directors to more than 30, or decreasing the number of directors to fewer than nine.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 3803, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Sections 3803.106 and 3803.107, as follows:
Sec. 3803.106. PLANS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. (a) Authorizes the district to develop and implement one or more plans for workforce development services. Provides that the services may include job training, workforce education, financing of special educational opportunities, or other projects that promote workforce development.
(b) Authorizes the district, to assist in implementing a plan for workforce development services, to accept a donation, grant, or loan from any person, work with a school at any level, work with any person that provides workforce development money or projects, or participate with any other entity.
Sec. 3803.107. ANNEXATION OF LAND. Authorizes the district to annex land as provided by Subchapter J (Annexation or Exclusion of Land), Chapter 49, Water Code.
SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 3803, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 3803.1515, as follows:
Sec. 3803.1515. DISBURSEMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF MONEY. Requires the board by resolution to establish the number of directors' signatures and the procedure required for a disbursement or transfer of the district's money.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 3803.154(a), Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes the district to correct, add to, or delete an assessment from its assessment rolls and collect an assessment due under the correction, addition, or deletion if:
(1) the district gives notice and hearing, rather than after notice and hearing, in the manner required by Section 375.115 (Notice of Hearing), Local Government Code; or
(2) the change does not increase the amount of assessment of any parcel of land.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.