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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 304

By: Paul

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the governance and operation of municipal management districts, especially those created to improve blighted areas that collect relatively high taxes and fees. H.B. 304 seeks to address these concerns by making certain changes to the statutes generally governing municipal management 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

 

H.B. 304 amends the Local Government Code to change the nature of the signatures required for a petition requesting the creation of a municipal management district from the signatures of the owners of a majority of the assessed value of the real property in the proposed district to the signatures of the owners of a majority of the assessed value of such property that would be subject to assessment by the district. The bill removes district residency as a qualification for serving as a district director and makes this change applicable only to a director appointed on or after the bill's effective date. The bill authorizes the owners of a majority of the assessed value of property subject to assessment by a district to recommend to the governing body of the applicable municipality persons to serve on a succeeding board of directors of the district. The bill specifies that the permanent improvements a district may acquire, construct, complete, develop, own, operate, and maintain and the services a district may provide are improvements and services that benefit property in the district, regardless of whether the improvements or services are located inside or outside district boundaries. The bill changes the nature of the signatures required for a petition requesting district improvement projects and services or a bond election and changes the criteria for filing a petition for the dissolution of a district.

 

H.B. 304 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to make a conforming change.

 

H.B. 304 repeals Section 3818.251, Special District Local Laws Code.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2019.