89R2787 JBD-D
By: Hinojosa of Hidalgo S.B. No. 444
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a requirement that certain special purpose districts
cause certain information to be posted on an Internet website.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2051.202, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsections (b-1)
and (e) to read as follows:
(a) In this section, "special purpose district" has the
meaning assigned by Section 403.0241 [means a political subdivision
of this state with geographic boundaries that define the
subdivision's territorial jurisdiction. The term does not include
a municipality, county, junior college district, independent
school district, groundwater conservation district, river
authority, or political subdivision with statewide jurisdiction].
(b) This section applies only to a special purpose district
described by Section 403.0241(b) [that:
[(1) is authorized by the state by a general or special
law to impose an ad valorem tax;
[(2) during the most recent fiscal year imposed an ad
valorem tax;
[(3) during the most recent fiscal year:
[(A) had bonds outstanding;
[(B) had gross receipts from operations, loans,
taxes, or contributions in excess of $250,000; or
[(C) had cash and temporary investments in excess
of $250,000; and
[(4) at the beginning of the most recent fiscal year,
had a population of 500 or more, as determined by the governing body
of the special purpose district].
(b-1) This section does not apply to a groundwater
conservation district or a river authority.
(d) A special purpose district shall post or cause to be
posted on an Internet website the following information, if
applicable:
(1) the name of the special purpose district;
(2) the name and term of office of each member of the
governing body of the special purpose district;
(3) the contact information for the main office of the
special purpose district, including the physical address, the
mailing address, and the telephone number;
(4) the official contact information for each member
of the governing body of the special purpose district;
(5) if the special purpose district employs a person
as a general manager or executive director, or in another position
to perform duties or functions comparable to those of a general
manager or executive director, the name of the general manager,
executive director, or person that performs those duties;
(6) if the special purpose district contracts with a
utility operator, the contact information for a person representing
the utility operator, including a mailing address and telephone
number;
(7) if the special purpose district contracts with a
tax assessor-collector, the contact information for a person
representing the tax assessor-collector, including a mailing
address and telephone number;
(8) if the special purpose district imposes an ad
valorem tax, the rate of the ad valorem tax of the special purpose
district;
(9) if the special purpose district imposes a sales
and use tax, the rate of the sales and use tax of the special purpose
district;
(10) any notice of tax hearing required to be given
under Chapter 26, Tax Code, or Section 49.236, Water Code;
(11) the location and schedule of meetings of the
governing body of the special purpose district;
(12) a statement substantially similar to the
following: "Residents of the district have the right to request the
designation of a meeting location within the district under Section
49.062(g), Water Code. A description of this process can be found at
(insert link to the Internet website described by Section
49.062(g), Water Code).";
(13) each notice of a meeting of the governing body of
the special purpose district under Subchapter C, Chapter 551, for
meetings conducted in the current calendar year and the immediately
preceding calendar year;
(14) the minutes of a public meeting of the governing
body of the special purpose district under Section 551.021 for
meetings conducted in the current calendar year and the immediately
preceding calendar year; [and]
(15) the most recent financial audit of the special
purpose district; and
(16) if the special purpose district has elected
officers:
(A) the date and location of the next election
for each office; and
(B) the requirements and deadline for filing for
candidacy for each office.
(e) A special purpose district must post the information
required by Subsection (d)(16)(B) continuously for at least one
year before the date of the election for the office.
SECTION 2. Section 2051.201(c), Government Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 3. Section 2051.202(e), Government Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to an office the election for which takes
place after January 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.