BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 321

By: Nichols

Special Purpose Districts

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that undeveloped land located within Liberty County would benefit from the creation of a municipal utility district. S.B. 321 seeks to provide for the creation of two such districts.

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. 321 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the River Ranch Municipal Utility District of Liberty County and the Riverside Municipal Utility District of Liberty County, each of which is subject to municipal consent and voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill grants the districts the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for the division of the districts and the districts' water and sewer rates. The bill authorizes the districts, subject to certain requirements, to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill expressly prohibits the districts from exercising the power of eminent domain if the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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