BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1019

By: Muñoz, Jr.

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that some entities have lost eminent domain authority due to a failure to submit a letter of eminent domain authority to the comptroller of public accounts by a prescribed deadline. It has been suggested that eminent domain authority should be restored for some water districts. H.B. 1019 seeks to provide for the restoration of such authority for certain 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. 1019 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to authorize the Hidalgo County Irrigation District Nos. 5, 6, and 16 and the Hidalgo County Municipal Utility District No. 1 to exercise the power of eminent domain as provided by law applicable to the respective district on or after the 90th day after the date the district submits a letter of eminent domain authority to the comptroller of public accounts, which must be submitted not later than December 31, 2019, and in accordance with statutory provisions regarding the report and expiration of eminent domain authority of certain entities, other than the requirement that the letter be submitted by the date specified. This authorization is notwithstanding the expiration of the districts' authority to exercise the power of eminent domain under those provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019, if the bill receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.