BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1316

88R13717 MCF-F

By: Eckhardt

 

Local Government

 

4/28/2023

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

It has been suggested that the Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin, known locally as "Muny," which is currently owned by The University of Texas at Austin and leased by the city, be preserved as a green space and for its historical significance.

 

Because of this, the 86th Texas Legislature passed S.B. 2553 by Senator Watson to establish the Save Muny Historical District (district). S.B. 390 was passed in the 87th Legislature to extend the dissolving of the district by two years. However, due to an agreement not being reached, the district is set to dissolve on May 31, 2023.

 

S.B. 1316 would extend the deadline for the district board to reach an agreement to May 31, 2025. The district would continue to be expressly prohibited from imposing taxes or exercising eminent domain, and would continue to be authorized to issue bonds and impose fees.

 

�As proposed, S.B. 1316 amends current law relating to the date of dissolution of the Save Historic Muny District.

 

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 Section 3988.0302(d), Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

 

(d) Prohibits the Save Historic Muny District (district) from entering into a contract described by this subsection unless the district enters into an agreement before May 31, 2025, rather than before May 31, 2023, with the owner of the land used for the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course that provides for the purchase of the land or a method of preserving the land as a public golf course, publicly available parkland, or a combination of those uses.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 3988.0901, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 3988.0901. DISSOLUTION. Requires the district's board of directors, except as limited by Section 375.264 (Limitations on Dissolution by Board of District with Debt), Local Government Code, to dissolve the district not later than May 31, 2025, rather than not later than May 31, 2023, unless, as of that date, the district has entered into an agreement with the owner of the land used for the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course that provides for the purchase of the land or a method of preserving the land as a public golf course, publicly available parkland, or a combination of those uses.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.