Texas House Bill HB3894

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the period for confirmation and the terms of the temporary directors of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 117.

Impact

The proposed changes are expected to streamline the process for appointing temporary directors in the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District. By allowing property owners to petition the TCEQ for new appointments, the bill aims to ensure that the governance of the district remains responsive to the needs of the stakeholders involved. The clarity introduced by the revised provisions may prevent governance gaps that could arise from expired terms and the lack of elected directors.

Summary

House Bill 3894 seeks to alter the governance structure of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 117 by modifying the terms and confirmation periods for temporary directors. The bill specifically amends existing provisions in the Special District Local Laws Code, which currently outline how temporary directors are appointed and serve. Under the new guidelines, if initial directors have not been elected by a specified deadline, the owner or owners of a majority of the district's assessed property value may petition the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to appoint new temporary directors based on their recommendations.

Contention

While the bill does not appear to generate significant controversy at face value, some stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the balance of power between property owners and the TCEQ. By placing the appointment process in the hands of property owners, there might be implications for how representative the governance of the district is. Similarly, there could be concerns over the broader impact of such changes on local environmental management, as indicated by the involvement of TCEQ in the director appointment process. Public reception of these amendments will likely depend on how they are perceived in terms of local control and accountability.