By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2599
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility
  District No. 594; granting a limited power of eminent domain;
  providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose
  assessments, fees, and taxes.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended by adding Chapter 7999A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 7999A. HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 594
  SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 7999A.0101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Board" means the district's board of directors.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
               (3)  "Director" means a board member.
               (4)  "District" means the Harris County Municipal
  Utility District No. 594.
         Sec. 7999A.0102.  NATURE OF DISTRICT.  The district is a
  municipal utility district created under Section 59, Article XVI,
  Texas Constitution.
         Sec. 7999A.0103.  CONFIRMATION AND DIRECTOR ELECTION
  REQUIRED.  The temporary directors shall hold an election to
  confirm the creation of the district and to elect five permanent
  directors as provided by Section 49.102, Water Code.
         Sec. 7999A.0104.  CONSENT OF MUNICIPALITY REQUIRED. The
  temporary directors may not hold an election under Section
  7999A.0103 until each municipality in whose corporate limits or
  extraterritorial jurisdiction the district is located has
  consented by ordinance or resolution to the creation of the
  district and to the inclusion of land in the district as required by
  applicable law.
         Sec. 7999A.0105.  FINDINGS OF PUBLIC PURPOSE AND BENEFIT.
  (a)  The district is created to serve a public purpose and benefit.
         (b)  The district is created to accomplish the purposes of:
               (1)  a municipal utility district as provided by
  general law and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; and
               (2)  Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, that
  relate to the construction, acquisition, improvement, operation,
  or maintenance of macadamized, graveled, or paved roads, or
  improvements, including storm drainage, in aid of those roads.
         Sec. 7999A.0106.  INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY.  (a)  The
  district is initially composed of the territory described by
  Section 2 of the Act enacting this chapter.
         (b)  The boundaries and field notes contained in Section 2 of
  the Act enacting this chapter form a closure.  A mistake made in the
  field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process
  does not affect the district's:
               (1)  organization, existence, or validity;
               (2)  right to issue any type of bond for the purposes
  for which the district is created or to pay the principal of and
  interest on a bond;
               (3)  right to impose a tax; or
               (4)  legality or operation.
  SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
         Sec. 7999A.0201.  GOVERNING BODY; TERMS.  (a)  The district
  is governed by a board of five elected directors.
         (b)  Except as provided by Section 7999A.0202, directors
  serve staggered four-year terms.
         Sec. 7999A.0202.  TEMPORARY DIRECTORS.  (a)  On or after the
  effective date of the Act enacting this chapter, the owner or owners
  of a majority of the assessed value of the real property in the
  district may submit a petition to the commission requesting that
  the commission appoint as temporary directors the five persons
  named in the petition.  The commission shall appoint as temporary
  directors the five persons named in the petition.
         (b)  Temporary directors serve until the earlier of:
               (1)  the date permanent directors are elected under
  Section 7999A.0103; or
               (2)  the fourth anniversary of the effective date of
  the Act enacting this chapter.
         (c)  If permanent directors have not been elected under
  Section 7999A.0103 and the terms of the temporary directors have
  expired, successor temporary directors shall be appointed or
  reappointed as provided by Subsection (d) to serve terms that
  expire on the earlier of:
               (1)  the date permanent directors are elected under
  Section 7999A.0103; or
               (2)  the fourth anniversary of the date of the
  appointment or reappointment.
         (d)  If Subsection (c) applies, the owner or owners of a
  majority of the assessed value of the real property in the district
  may submit a petition to the commission requesting that the
  commission appoint as successor temporary directors the five
  persons named in the petition.  The commission shall appoint as
  successor temporary directors the five persons named in the
  petition.
  SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
         Sec. 7999A.0301.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  The district
  has the powers and duties necessary to accomplish the purposes for
  which the district is created.
         Sec. 7999A.0302.  MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT POWERS AND
  DUTIES.  The district has the powers and duties provided by the
  general law of this state, including Chapters 49 and 54, Water Code,
  applicable to municipal utility districts created under Section 59,
  Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
         Sec. 7999A.0303.  AUTHORITY FOR ROAD PROJECTS. Under
  Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, the district may
  design, acquire, construct, finance, issue bonds for, improve,
  operate, maintain, and convey to this state, a county, or a
  municipality for operation and maintenance macadamized, graveled,
  or paved roads, or improvements, including storm drainage, in aid
  of those roads.
         Sec. 7999A.0304.  ROAD STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS. (a) A
  road project must meet all applicable construction standards,
  zoning and subdivision requirements, and regulations of each
  municipality in whose corporate limits or extraterritorial
  jurisdiction the road project is located.
         (b)  If a road project is not located in the corporate limits
  or extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, the road
  project must meet all applicable construction standards,
  subdivision requirements, and regulations of each county in which
  the road project is located.
         (c)  If the state will maintain and operate the road, the
  Texas Transportation Commission must approve the plans and
  specifications of the road project.
         Sec. 7999A.0305.  COMPLIANCE WITH MUNICIPAL CONSENT
  ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.  The district shall comply with all
  applicable requirements of any ordinance or resolution that is
  adopted under Section 54.016 or 54.0165, Water Code, and that
  consents to the creation of the district or to the inclusion of land
  in the district.
  SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 7999A.0401.  ELECTIONS REGARDING TAXES OR BONDS. (a)
  The district may issue, without an election, bonds and other
  obligations secured by:
               (1)  revenue other than ad valorem taxes; or
               (2)  contract payments described by Section
  7999A.0403.
         (b)  The district must hold an election in the manner
  provided by Chapters 49 and 54, Water Code, to obtain voter approval
  before the district may impose an ad valorem tax or issue bonds
  payable from ad valorem taxes.
         (c)  The district may not issue bonds payable from ad valorem
  taxes to finance a road project unless the issuance is approved by a
  vote of a two-thirds majority of the district voters voting at an
  election held for that purpose.
         Sec. 7999A.0402.  OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE TAX.  (a)  If
  authorized at an election held under Section 7999A.0401, the
  district may impose an operation and maintenance tax on taxable
  property in the district in accordance with Section 49.107, Water
  Code.
         (b)  The board shall determine the tax rate.  The rate may not
  exceed the rate approved at the election.
         Sec. 7999A.0403.  CONTRACT TAXES.  (a)  In accordance with
  Section 49.108, Water Code, the district may impose a tax other than
  an operation and maintenance tax and use the revenue derived from
  the tax to make payments under a contract after the provisions of
  the contract have been approved by a majority of the district voters
  voting at an election held for that purpose.
         (b)  A contract approved by the district voters may contain a
  provision stating that the contract may be modified or amended by
  the board without further voter approval.
  SUBCHAPTER E. BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
         Sec. 7999A.0501.  AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS AND OTHER
  OBLIGATIONS.  The district may issue bonds or other obligations
  payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes, impact fees,
  revenue, contract payments, grants, or other district money, or any
  combination of those sources, to pay for any authorized district
  purpose.
         Sec. 7999A.0502.  TAXES FOR BONDS. At the time the district
  issues bonds payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes, the
  board shall provide for the annual imposition of a continuing
  direct ad valorem tax, without limit as to rate or amount, while all
  or part of the bonds are outstanding as required and in the manner
  provided by Sections 54.601 and 54.602, Water Code.
         Sec. 7999A.0503.  BONDS FOR ROAD PROJECTS. At the time of
  issuance, the total principal amount of bonds or other obligations
  issued or incurred to finance road projects and payable from ad
  valorem taxes may not exceed one-fourth of the assessed value of the
  real property in the district.
         SECTION 2.  The Harris County Municipal Utility District No.
  594 initially includes all the territory contained in the following
  area:
         Being 113.297 acres of land located in the William Hurd
  Survey, Abstract 377, Harris County, Texas, and being all of that
  certain called 111.2797 acre tract conveyed to Martens Family
  Partnership Ltd., by an instrument of record in File Number
  20120088210, of the Official Public Records of Real Property of
  said Harris County, Texas, (H.C.O.P.R.R.P.), and all of that
  certain called 2.000 acre save and except tract described in said
  File Number 20120088210, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., said 113.297 acre tract
  being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows,
  (all bearings referenced to the Texas Coordinate System, South
  Central Zone, NAD 83, 2001 Adjustment):
         BEGINNING at a 1/2-inch iron rod found marking the southwest
  corner of said 111.2797 acre tract, same being the northwest corner
  of that certain called 113.2797 acre tract conveyed to Kimmel
  Decedent's Trust U/T/A 4/28/1999, Irma Kimmel, Trustee (58.09%
  interest) by an instrument of record in File Number RP-2020-77718,
  H.C.O.P.R.R.P. and Kimmel Survivor's Trust U/T/A 4/28/1999, Irma
  Kimmel, Trustee (41.91% interest), by an instrument of record under
  File Number RP-2020-77719, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., said point lying on the
  east line of that certain called 24.6576 acre tract conveyed to
  Allen Arthur Krahn and Rhonda Jean Krahn by an instrument of record
  under File Number RP-2022-293701, H.C.O.P.R.R.P.;
         Thence, North 01° 52' 17" West, along the west line of said
  111.2797 acre tract, same being the east line of said 24.6576 acre
  tract, passing at 76.60 feet the northeast corner of said 24.6576
  acre tract, from which a found 1/2-inch iron rod bears South 86° 15'
  53" East, 0.49 feet, continuing along the west line of said 111.2797
  acre tract, along the east line of that certain called 11.2033 acre
  tract conveyed to Kenneth Ervin Krahn by an instrument of record
  under File Number M592368, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., passing at 497.50 feet a
  5/8-inch iron rod with cap stamped "TONY SWONKE RPLS 4767" found for
  the northeast corner of said 11.2033 acre Kenneth Krahn tract, same
  being the southeast corner of that certain called 11.2033 acre
  tract conveyed to Shirley Ann McKinney by an instrument of record
  under File Number S338090, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., continuing along the
  west line of said 111.2797 acre tract, same being the east line of
  said 11.2033 acre McKinney tract, passing at 886.53 feet the
  northeast corner of said 11.2033 acre McKinney tract, same being
  the southeast corner of that certain called 11.2033 acre tract
  conveyed to Anita Lynn Treichel by an instrument of record under
  File Number S338144, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., from which a found 1/2-inch
  iron rod bears North 88° 34' 47" West, 0.38 feet, continuing along
  the west line of said 111.2791 acre tract, same being the east line
  of said 11.2033 acre Treichel tract, passing at 1,281.61 feet the
  northeast corner of said 11.2033 acre Treichel tract, same being
  the southeast corner of that certain called 11.2033 acre tract
  conveyed to Kathleen Diane Schultz by an instrument of record under
  File Number S338091, H.C.O.P.R.R.P., from which a found 5/8-inch
  iron rod bears North 78° 45' 01" West, 0.49 feet, and continuing
  along a west line of said 111.2791 acre tract, same being the east
  line of said 11.2033 acre Schultz tract for a total distance of
  1,665.30 feet to a 5/8-inch iron rod with cap stamped "LJA SURVEY"
  set for the northwest corner of said 111.2797 acre tract, same being
  the southwest corner of that certain called 114.9706 acre tract
  conveyed to Festival Properties, Inc. (57.5%) and Silvestri
  Investments of Florida, Inc. (42.5%), by an instrument of record
  under File Number RP-2020-302036, H.C.O.P.R.R.P.;
         Thence, North 88° 02' 48" East, departing the east line of
  said 11.2033 acre Schultz tract, along the north line of said
  111.2797 acre tract, same being the south line of said 114.9706 acre
  tract, 2,954.33 feet to a 1/2-inch iron rod found for the northeast
  corner of said 111.2797 acre tract, same being the southeast corner
  of said 114.9706 acre tract, said point lying in the right-of-way of
  Telge Road (called 60 feet wide);
         Thence, South 02° 30' 25" East, along the east line of said
  111.2797 acre tract, 1,665.38 feet to the southeast corner of said
  111.2797 acre tract, same being the northeast corner of the
  aforementioned 113.2797 acre tract, said point lying in the
  right-of-way of said Telge Road, from which a found 5/8-inch iron
  rod bears North 68° 52' 49" East, 0.56 feet;
         Thence, South 88° 02' 48" West, along the south line of said
  111.2797 acre tract common to the north line of said 113.2797 acre
  tract, 2,972.80 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing
  113.297 acres of land.
         SECTION 3.  (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, the
  lieutenant governor, and the 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 are fulfilled
  and accomplished.
         SECTION 4.  (a)  If this Act does not receive a two-thirds
  vote of all the members elected to each house, Subchapter C, Chapter
  7999A, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of
  this Act, is amended by adding Section 7999A.0306 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 7999A.0306.  NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. The district may
  not exercise the power of eminent domain.
         (b)  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.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.