BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

C.S.S.B. 2275

85R27084 AAF-F

By: Creighton

 

Intergovernmental Relations

 

5/1/2017

 

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 2275 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create Lakewood Municipal Utility District No. 2 (district). The district will encompass approximately 2,725 acres located east and south of Lake Houston and within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston.

 

S.B. 2275 gives the district the power to finance the construction of water, sewer and drainage facilities, and roads.

 

This bill conforms to the agreed template for the creation of municipal utility districts adopted by the Texas Legislature. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

C.S.S.B. 2275 amends current law relating to the creation of the Lakewood Municipal Utility District No. 2, 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 8004, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8004. LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Lakewood Municipal Utility District No. 2 (district). Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation, approval, public purpose, and initial territory of the district (Sections 8004.001-8004.050);

 

Size, composition, and terms of the board of directors, including provisions for temporary directors of the district (Sections 8004.051-8004.100);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8004.101-8004.150); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8004.151-8004.203).

 

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 8004, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is amended by adding Section 8004.107, as follows:

 

Sec. 8004.107. 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 authorizing the legislature to enact certain measures granting the power of eminent domain to an entity), Article I (Bill of Rights), Texas Constitution.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2017.