BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2979

By: Bailes

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that certain undeveloped land in Liberty County would benefit from the creation of a municipal utility district. H.B. 2979 seeks to create the Liberty Grand Municipal Utility District No. 1.

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. 2979 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Liberty Grand Municipal Utility District No. 1, subject to municipal consent and voter approval at a confirmation election.  The bill grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for the division of the district. The bill authorizes the district, subject to certain requirements, to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill expressly prohibits the district 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

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.