BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 4784 81R11530 SGA-F By: Fletcher (Patrick) Intergovernmental Relations 5/20/2009 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Continuing development and growth in Harris County has created the need for large-scale, permanent improvements such as water supply and distribution facilities, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, drainage and flood control projects, recreational facilities, and major thoroughfare improvements. Article XVI (General Provisions), Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources and Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts), and Article III (Legislative Department), Section 52 (Counties, Cities or Other Political Corporations or Subdivisions; Lending Credit; Grants; Bonds), Texas Constitution, provide for the creation of local governmental districts which are authorized to incur indebtedness to provide such permanent improvements and to levy taxes for the maintenance and operation of such improvements and for the repayment of such indebtedness. Pursuant to Article XVI, Section 59, and Article III, Section 52, of the Texas Constitution, and subject to the continuing supervisory jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the bill creates a municipal utility district, with limited road powers and additional district division powers, to be known as Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 524 (district), over a tract of land containing 990.804 acres of land in Harris County. H.B. 4784 relates to the creation of the district, provides authority to impose a tax and issue bonds, and grants a limited power of eminent domain. 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 Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8354, as follows: CHAPTER 8354. HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 524 Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 524 (district) in Harris County. Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for: Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8354.001-8354.050); Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8354.051-8354.100); Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8354.101-8354.150); and General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8354.151-8354.203). Prohibits the exercise of the power of eminent domain by the district outside the district to acquire a site or easement for a road project authorized by Section 8354.103 (Authority for Road Projects) or a recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462 (Definitions), Water Code. SECTION 2. Sets forth the initial boundaries of the district. SECTION 3. Provides that 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 4784
81R11530 SGA-F By: Fletcher (Patrick)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/20/2009
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Continuing development and growth in Harris County has created the need for large-scale, permanent improvements such as water supply and distribution facilities, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, drainage and flood control projects, recreational facilities, and major thoroughfare improvements. Article XVI (General Provisions), Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources and Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts), and Article III (Legislative Department), Section 52 (Counties, Cities or Other Political Corporations or Subdivisions; Lending Credit; Grants; Bonds), Texas Constitution, provide for the creation of local governmental districts which are authorized to incur indebtedness to provide such permanent improvements and to levy taxes for the maintenance and operation of such improvements and for the repayment of such indebtedness.
Pursuant to Article XVI, Section 59, and Article III, Section 52, of the Texas Constitution, and subject to the continuing supervisory jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the bill creates a municipal utility district, with limited road powers and additional district division powers, to be known as Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 524 (district), over a tract of land containing 990.804 acres of land in Harris County.
H.B. 4784 relates to the creation of the district, provides authority to impose a tax and issue bonds, and grants a limited power of eminent domain.
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 Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8354, as follows:
CHAPTER 8354. HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 524
Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 524 (district) in Harris County. Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:
Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8354.001-8354.050);
Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8354.051-8354.100);
Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8354.101-8354.150); and
General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8354.151-8354.203).
Prohibits the exercise of the power of eminent domain by the district outside the district to acquire a site or easement for a road project authorized by Section 8354.103 (Authority for Road Projects) or a recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462 (Definitions), Water Code.
SECTION 2. Sets forth the initial boundaries of the district.
SECTION 3. Provides that 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.