BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4163

By: Schofield

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that a municipal utility district is needed to construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, road, and recreational facilities to serve certain property located within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston in Harris County. H.B. 4163 seeks to address this need.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 4163 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 540, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election and municipal consent. The bill grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects and 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, 2015.