H.B. No. 4579
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the powers, duties, and bond authority of the Lubbock
  Reese Redevelopment Authority; providing authority to impose a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 3501.001, Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:
               (4)  "Bond" means an interest-bearing obligation
  issued by the authority under this chapter, including a bond,
  certificate, note, or other evidence of indebtedness.
         SECTION 2.  Section 3501.003(a), Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The purpose of the authority is to:
               (1)  undertake projects necessary or incidental to the
  industrial, commercial, or business development, redevelopment,
  maintenance, and expansion of new and existing businesses on the
  property, now or formerly known as Reese Air Force Base, described
  in Section 3501.002(a), including the acquisition, construction,
  operation, maintenance, enhancement, or disposal of:
                     (A) [(1)]  roads, bridges, and rights-of-way;
                     (B) [(2)]  housing;
                     (C) [(3)]  property;
                     (D) [(4)]  police, fire, medical, cultural,
  educational, and research services, equipment, institutions, and
  resources;
                     (E) [(5)]  other community support services;
                     (F) [(6)]  flood control, water, wastewater
  treatment, and all other utility facilities; and
                     (G) [(7)]  other infrastructure improvements;
               (2)  encourage the development of new industry by
  private businesses; and
               (3)  encourage financing of projects designated under
  Section 3501.1024.
         SECTION 3.  Section 3501.004, Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 3501.004.  EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION. (a) The property,
  [revenue, and] income, and operations of the authority are exempt
  from taxes [a tax] imposed by the state or a political subdivision
  of the state.
         (b)  Section 25.07(a), Tax Code, applies to a leasehold or
  other possessory interest in real property granted by the authority
  for a project designated under Section 3501.1024(a) in the same
  manner as it applies to a leasehold or other possessory interest in
  real property constituting a project described by Section
  505.161(a), Local Government Code.
         (c)  A commercial aircraft to be used as an instrument of
  commerce that is under construction in the authority is presumed to
  be in interstate, international, or foreign commerce and not
  located in this state for longer than a temporary period for
  purposes of Sections 11.01 and 21.02, Tax Code.
         (d)  Tangible personal property located in the authority is
  presumed to be in interstate, international, or foreign commerce
  and not located in this state for longer than a temporary period for
  purposes of Sections 11.01 and 21.02, Tax Code, if the owner
  demonstrates to the chief appraiser for the appraisal district in
  which the authority is located that the owner intends to
  incorporate the property into or attach the property to a
  commercial aircraft described by Subsection (c).
         (e)  In this section, "commercial aircraft" means an
  aircraft that is designed to be used as described by Section
  21.05(e), Tax Code.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter A, Chapter 3501, Special District
  Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 3501.005 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 3501.005.  APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. (a) In this
  section, "qualifying project" means any real estate project
  involving the construction of:
               (1)  a tenant finish-out or build-to-suit facility for
  a tenant who, through the execution of a lease with the authority,
  pays for or reimburses the authority for the cost of the
  improvements;
               (2)  infrastructure improvements including roads,
  driveways, or utility extensions made in connection with the sale
  or lease of property owned by the authority and for which the
  proceeds of the sale or the lease are used to reimburse the
  authority for the infrastructure improvements; or
               (3)  an income-producing facility that generates
  revenue for the authority and is constructed by a private developer
  with special expertise in development.
         (b)  Chapters 2267 and 2269, Government Code, do not apply to
  a qualifying project of the authority.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter B, Chapter 3501, Special District
  Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 3501.056 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 3501.056.  HEARINGS BY TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. (a)
  Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or other law, if the
  president or vice president of the board, or chairperson or vice
  chairperson of a board committee, is physically present at a
  meeting of the board or committee, any number of the other members
  of the board or committee may attend the meeting by use of telephone
  conference call, video conference call, or other similar
  telecommunication device. A member of the board or committee who
  attends a meeting via a telecommunication device is considered
  present for purposes of constituting a quorum, voting, and any
  other form of participation in the board or committee meeting. This
  subsection applies regardless of the subject of the meeting or
  topics considered at the meeting.
         (b)  If the board or committee of the board holds a meeting
  using a telecommunication device in the manner provided by
  Subsection (a):
               (1)  the meeting is subject to the notice requirements
  for other meetings;
               (2)  the board or committee must specify in the notice
  the location of the meeting at which the president, vice president,
  chairperson, or vice chairperson will be physically present;
               (3)  the board or committee must make the meeting open
  and audible to the public at the location specified under
  Subdivision (2); and
               (4)  the board or committee must provide two-way audio
  communication between board or committee members attending the
  meeting and, if the two-way audio communication link with a member
  is disrupted, stop the meeting until the link is reestablished.
         SECTION 6.  Section 3501.102(b), Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The authority may exercise, on approval by and in
  coordination with the governor, any power necessary or convenient
  to accomplish a purpose of this chapter, including the power to:
               (1)  sue and be sued, and plead and be impleaded, in its
  own name;
               (2)  adopt an official seal;
               (3)  adopt and enforce bylaws and rules for the conduct
  of its affairs;
               (4)  acquire, hold, own, and dispose of its revenue,
  income, receipts, and money from any source;
               (5)  select its depository;
               (6)  establish its fiscal year;
               (7)  adopt an annual operating budget for all major
  expenditures before the beginning of the fiscal year;
               (8)  establish a system of accounts for the authority;
               (9)  invest its money in accordance with Chapter 2256,
  Government Code;
               (10)  acquire, hold, own, use, rent, lease, or dispose
  of any property, including a license, patent, right, right-of-way,
  easement, and other interest in property, by purchase, exchange,
  gift, assignment, condemnation, lease, sale, or any other means, to
  perform a duty or to exercise a power under this chapter;
               (11)  manage, operate, or improve that property, to
  perform a duty or to exercise a power under this chapter;
               (12)  sell, assign, lease, encumber, mortgage, or
  otherwise dispose of any base property, or any interest in that
  property, release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien,
  interest, easement, or demand, however acquired, and,
  notwithstanding any other law, conduct any transaction authorized
  by this subdivision by public or private sale;
               (13)  lease or rent any land, buildings, structures, or
  facilities located on the base property to any person to accomplish
  the purposes of this chapter;
               (14)  request and accept any appropriation, grant,
  allocation, subsidy, guarantee, aid, service, labor, material,
  gift, or money from any source, including the federal government,
  the state, a public agency, and a political subdivision;
               (15)  maintain an office;
               (16)  appoint and determine the duties, tenure,
  qualifications, compensation, and removal of officers, employees,
  agents, professional advisors, and counselors, including financial
  consultants, accountants, attorneys, architects, engineers,
  appraisers, and financing experts, as considered necessary or
  advisable by the board;
               (17)  borrow money as necessary to acquire, improve, or
  operate a facility on the base property, not to exceed the amount
  determined by the board [governing body of the City of Lubbock];
               (18)  establish, impose, and collect rents, rates,
  fees, and charges for its facilities and services; [and]
               (19)  exercise the powers Chapter 380, Local Government
  Code, grants to a municipality for expansion of economic
  development and commercial activity;
               (20)  lend money for a purpose authorized by Section
  52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution; 
               (21)  authorize by resolution the incorporation of a
  nonprofit airport facility financing corporation in the manner
  provided by Subchapter E, Chapter 22, Transportation Code, for the
  purposes provided by Section 22.152(a), Transportation Code;
               (22)  exercise the powers granted to a local government
  for the financing of facilities to be located on airport property,
  including powers granted by Chapter 22, Transportation Code,
  consistent with the requirements and the purposes of Section 52-a,
  Article III, Texas Constitution;
               (23)  lease, own, and operate an airport and exercise
  the powers granted to municipalities and counties by Chapter 22,
  Transportation Code;
               (24)  lease, own, and operate port facilities for air,
  truck, and rail transportation;
               (25)  provide security for port functions, facilities,
  and operations;
               (26)  cooperate with and participate in programs and
  security efforts of this state and the United States Department of
  Homeland Security; and
               (27)  participate as a member or partner of a limited
  liability company, a limited liability partnership, or other entity
  organized to finance a project designated as a redevelopment
  project under Section 3501.1024.
         SECTION 7.  Subchapter C, Chapter 3501, Special District
  Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Sections 3501.1021,
  3501.1022, 3501.1023, and 3501.1024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 3501.1021.  INLAND PORT AND TRADE POWERS. (a) The
  authority may establish and operate an inland port and related port
  facilities to engage in world trade.
         (b)  The authority may participate in national and
  international agreements advancing world trade at the port.
         Sec. 3501.1022.  SERVICES. The authority may charge a fee
  for a service including:
               (1)  professional consultation services provided in
  relation to international trade, planning, land use, or
  construction;
               (2)  real estate development services, including
  services provided by a person licensed under Chapter 1101,
  Occupations Code, acting as a broker;
               (3)  support or participation in the acquisition of
  venture capital to finance the authority's redevelopment project,
  both inside and outside the authority;
               (4)  participation in or assistance on a joint venture
  composed of both public and private entities;
               (5)  promotion of an activity that creates employment
  opportunities; and
               (6)  any other service provided in relation to a
  project undertaken by the authority, alone or with others, to
  fulfill an authority purpose or objective.
         Sec. 3501.1023.  TRANSPORTATION PROJECT. (a) The authority
  may implement a transportation project:
               (1)  on the base property; or
               (2)  outside of the base property to provide access to
  the base property.
         (b)  The authority may enter into an agreement with a person
  to plan, finance, construct, or maintain a project described by
  Subsection (a).
         (c)  The authority may construct a building, loading dock, or
  other facility as part of a transportation project described by
  Subsection (a)(1).
         Sec. 3501.1024.  REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. (a) The board may
  designate as a redevelopment project a project that relates to:
               (1)  the development of base property and the
  surrounding areas; or
               (2)  the development of property directly related to
  the purposes or goals of the authority.
         (b)  A project designated under Subsection (a) is for a
  public purpose.
         SECTION 8.  Section 3501.106, Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 3501.106.  [REVENUE] BONDS. (a) The authority may
  issue [for any authority purpose] bonds if authorized by board
  resolution.
         (b)  A bond issued under this chapter must:
               (1)  be [or other obligations] payable solely from [any
  source of] authority revenue;
               (2)  mature not later than 40 years after its date of
  issuance; and
               (3)  state on its face that it is not an obligation of
  this state or a municipality.  
         (c)  The authority may exercise the powers granted to the
  governing body of an issuer with regard to the issuance of
  obligations and the execution of credit agreements under Chapter
  1371, Government Code [issue a bond or other obligation in the form
  of a bond, note, certificate of participation or other instrument
  evidencing a proportionate interest in payments to be made by the
  authority, or other type of obligation].
         SECTION 9.  (a) The legal notice of the intention to
  introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
  Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
  copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
  officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
  under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313,
  Government Code.
         (b)  The governor, one of the required recipients, has
  submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
         (c)  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed
  its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor,
  lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
  within the required time.
         (d)  All requirements of the constitution and laws of this
  state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect
  to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have been
  fulfilled and accomplished.
         SECTION 10.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4579 was passed by the House on April
  28, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 5, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4579 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor