BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 320

By: Nichols

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that undeveloped land located within an unincorporated area of Liberty County in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Dayton would benefit from the creation of an improvement district. S.B. 320 seeks to provide for the creation of such a district.

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

S.B. 320 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the River Ranch Improvement District of Liberty County to provide certain improvements, projects, and services for public use and benefit. The bill provides for, among other provisions, the annexation and exclusion of land by the district, the applicability of certain competitive bidding requirements and residential property exemptions to the district, rail facilities, and the establishment of defined areas and designated property. The bill sets out the district's powers and duties, which include road district powers, navigation district powers, rural public transportation powers, and, subject to certain requirements, the authority to borrow money, impose and collect assessments, issue obligations, and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain and from constructing, acquiring, maintaining, or operating a toll road.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.