TX
Texas House Bill HB3397

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Texas House Bill HB3397

Filed
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to comprehensive reviews of certain special districts.

Impact

The introduction of HB 3397 aims to improve accountability and transparency within special districts, which are created for specific purposes and often have the authority to collect taxes and fees. By requiring regular reviews, the state seeks to ensure that these districts are still serving their intended purposes efficiently and effectively. This legislative change is expected to lead to better management of public resources and may help identify unnecessary or inefficient special districts that no longer meet the needs of their constituents or the state.

Summary

House Bill 3397 mandates that special districts in Texas conduct a comprehensive review of their operations and fiscal matters at least once every six years. This review is necessary for any special district that imposes a tax, assessment, or fee and has outstanding debt. The governing bodies of these districts are required to publish a self-evaluation report detailing the significance of their existence, the extent to which they have fulfilled their purpose, and whether they are duplicating services offered by other governmental entities. The report must also provide financial accountability and transparency by indicating revenues generated and liabilities held by the district.

Contention

One potential point of contention surrounding HB 3397 could be the financial burden placed on smaller special districts which may struggle to conduct these comprehensive reviews due to limited resources. Critics may argue that the requirement could lead to additional bureaucracy that disproportionately affects less affluent districts. Conversely, supporters believe that the enhanced scrutiny will provide an opportunity to eliminate waste and improve services provided by these entities. Another area of concern could be the interpretation of overlap with other government services and how that might affect funding or public service offerings.

Latest TX HB3397 Activity

View All Events: TX 2013 - 83rd Regular HB3397

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2816

Relating to notice provided to purchasers of property and information filed with the county clerk by certain special districts.

TX SB1474

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach or provide services related to special education.

TX HB3781

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach special education.

TX HB2815

Relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities of certain conservation and reclamation districts and to notice a person who proposes to sell or convey real property located in any of certain conservation and reclamation districts must provide to a prospective purchaser of that property.

TX SB1188

Relating to receivership of the Agua Special Utility District and requirements for directors of the Agua Special Utility District.

TX SB2521

Relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities of certain conservation and reclamation districts.

TX HB2436

Relating to the sale of bonds by certain special purpose districts.

TX SB2206

Relating to the sale of bonds by certain special purpose districts.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB3135

Relating to the review, adoption, and modification of land development regulations by certain municipalities, counties, and special districts.

Similar Bills

TX HB1548

Relating to comprehensive reviews of certain special districts.

NJ A3872

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TX SB867

Relating to comprehensive performance reviews of certain special districts.

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