BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 2027

 

By: Nichols

 

Intergovernmental Relations

 

6/2/2015

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 2027 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 149 (district) as a political subdivision of the State of Texas.  The district will construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, road, and recreational facilities to serve property within the district, which is located in the corporate limits of the City of Conroe in Montgomery 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.

 

A special district is needed to finance and construct the utility infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage, roads, and recreational facilities) necessary to promote the development of the area within the district.

 

Special districts are created for specific areas.  No special district currently serves the area proposed to be included in the District.

 

S.B. 2027 amends current law relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 149, 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 7917, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 7917.  MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 149

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 149 (district) in Montgomery County.  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 7917.001-7917.006);

 

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 7917.051 and 7917.052);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 7917.101-7917.105); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 7917.151-7917.153 and Sections 7917.201-7917.203).

 

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 7917, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is amended by adding Section 7917.106, as follows:

 

Sec. 7917.106.  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 the use of eminent domain), Article I, Texas Constitution.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.