BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4471

By: Moody

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conservation and reclamation districts in a number of counties are currently authorized to issue bonds supported by property taxes to pay for the development and maintenance of recreational facilities, including parks. However, local developers have raised concerns that El Paso is not among those counties. H.B. 4471 seeks to include El Paso County among the counties in which conservation and reclamation districts may issue bonds supported by property taxes for such purposes.

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. 4471 amends the Water Code to include El Paso County among the counties containing certain conservation and reclamation districts, in whole or in part, that may issue bonds supported by property taxes to pay for the development and maintenance of recreational facilities, including parks, contingent on voter approval.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The date on which the constitutional amendment relating to the authority of the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by property taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities takes effect, if approved by the voters.