BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4594
87R9819 ANG-F	By: Oliverson (Kolkhorst)
	Local Government
	5/14/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Continuing development and growth in Harris County has created the need for permanent improvements such as water supply and distribution facilities, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, local drainage facilities, road facilities, and recreational facilities. Pursuant to Article XVI, Section 59, and Article III, Section 52, of the Texas Constitution, and subject to the continuing supervisory jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, this bill seeks to create a municipal utility district to be known as Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 576 over an approximate 617-acre tract of land located within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas. Article XVI, Section 59, and Article III, Section 52, of the Texas Constitution provide for the creation of local governmental districts that are authorized to incur indebtedness to provide such permanent improvements and to levy taxes for the maintenance and operation of such improvements and for the repayment of such indebtedness. Once created, Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 576 will be authorized to incur indebtedness to provide water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and road and recreational improvements and to levy taxes for the maintenance and operation of such improvements and for the repayment of such indebtedness.

H.B. 4594 amends current law relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 576, 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 7926A, as follows:

CHAPTER 7926A. HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 576

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 576 (district). Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 7926A.0101-7926A.0106);

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district and appointment of temporary directors of the district (Sections 7926A.0201-7926A.0202);

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 7926A.0301-7926A.0305); and

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 7926A.0401-7926A.0503).

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 7926A, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is amended by adding Section 7926A.0306, as follows:

Sec. 7926A.0306. 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), Article I, Texas Constitution.

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.