|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the Hays County Development District No. 1. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 1, Chapter 1503, Acts of the 77th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is amended by amending |
|
Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(a) The legislature finds that the creation of Hays County |
|
Development District No. 1 (the "district"), [and] the project |
|
approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court on January 11, 2000 |
|
(the "project"), and other improvement projects described by |
|
Section 5A will serve the public purpose of attracting visitors and |
|
tourists to Hays County and will result in employment and economic |
|
activity in the manner contemplated by Section 52-a, Article III, |
|
Texas Constitution, and Chapter 383, Local Government Code. |
|
(c) The legislature further finds that the creation and |
|
operation of the district and the works, projects, improvements, |
|
and services that are to be promoted, facilitated, and accomplished |
|
by the district under powers conferred by Sections 52 and 52-a, |
|
Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and |
|
other powers granted under this Act will provide a substantial and |
|
continuing public use and benefit [and the acquisition or financing
|
|
of the project by the district serve the purpose of Section 59,
|
|
Article XVI, and Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, and
|
|
that all steps necessary to create the district have been taken]. |
|
(d) The legislature further finds that the creation and |
|
continued operation of the district is essential to accomplish the |
|
purposes of Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, |
|
Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and other public purposes stated |
|
in this Act. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 5, Chapter 1503, Acts of the 77th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5. POWERS. (a) The district has all of the rights, |
|
powers, privileges, authority, functions, and duties provided by |
|
Chapters 375 and 383, Local Government Code, to county development |
|
districts and municipal management districts and the general laws |
|
relating to conservation and reclamation districts created under |
|
Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, including Chapters 49 |
|
and 54, Water Code. |
|
(b) The rights, powers, privileges, authority, functions, |
|
and duties include, [including] but are not limited to: |
|
(1) the authority to levy, assess, and collect ad |
|
valorem taxes for the purposes approved at the elections conducted |
|
on November 7, 2000; |
|
(2) the authority[, after approval by voters at an
|
|
election conducted within the boundaries of the district,] to levy, |
|
assess and collect taxes for maintenance and operating purposes in |
|
the manner set forth in Sections 49.107(a)-(e), Water Code, and for |
|
the repayment of bonds, notes, warrants, lease purchase agreements, |
|
certificates of assessment, certificates of participation in lease |
|
purchase agreements, and other interest-bearing obligations in the |
|
manner set forth in Sections 49.106(a)-(d), Water Code, and for all |
|
of the purposes for which the district may expend funds; |
|
(3) to establish, levy, and collect special |
|
assessments in the manner specified in Sections 375.111-375.124, |
|
Local Government Code; provided, however, that Sections |
|
375.161-375.163, Local Government Code, shall not apply to the |
|
assessments imposed by the district; |
|
(4) to utilize funds, whether the funds are derived |
|
from ad valorem taxes, sales and use taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, |
|
assessments, revenues from the project, or any other source, for |
|
payment of projects or services in the manner authorized by |
|
Section 375.181, Local Government Code, Chapter 54, Water Code, and |
|
Chapter 383, Local Government Code; |
|
(5) to enter into obligations, including, but not |
|
limited to, lease purchase agreements, certificates of |
|
participation in lease purchase agreements, general obligation |
|
bonds and notes and revenue bonds and notes, and combination |
|
general obligation and revenue bonds and notes and other |
|
interest-bearing obligations, in the manner specified in Sections |
|
375.201-375.204, Local Government Code. To enter into these |
|
obligations, the district shall obtain only those approvals |
|
required for the issuance of obligations by Hays County by Chapter |
|
53, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Second Called Session, 1987; |
|
(6) to adopt the powers of a road district under |
|
Section 52(b)(3), Article III, Texas Constitution, in the manner |
|
specified in Sections 53.029(c) and (d), Water Code; |
|
(7) to levy, assess, and collect ad valorem taxes to |
|
make payments on a contract under Sections 49.108(a)-(d), Water |
|
Code, after obtaining those approvals specified in Section 1, |
|
Chapter 778, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995; |
|
(8) to exercise all of the rights, powers, and |
|
authority of a road district, a municipal management district, and |
|
a municipal utility district [water control and improvement
|
|
district which are not specifically contradicted by Chapter 383,
|
|
Local Government Code]; [and] |
|
(9) to exercise all of the rights, powers, and |
|
authority granted to the district by this Act, and all of the |
|
rights, powers, and authority granted to the district by Chapters |
|
383 and 375, Local Government Code, and Chapters 49 and 54, Water |
|
Code, which are not contrary to [any provisions of] this Act, to |
|
finance, construct, or otherwise acquire an improvement project |
|
described by Section 5A or the project or any element of the project |
|
identified in the Commissioners Court Order Upon Hearing and |
|
Granting Petition Requesting the Creation of Hays County |
|
Development District No. 1 and Appointing Temporary Directors dated |
|
January 11, 2000, including, but not limited to, a [the] hotel, a |
|
residential area of a development, a nature trail, a commercial |
|
activity or endeavor, a [the] golf course, [the] water, sewer, |
|
drainage, and road improvements, [the] organizational costs, and |
|
[the] costs of issuance of the obligations of the district; and |
|
(10) to purchase a right-of-way. |
|
SECTION 3. Chapter 1503, Acts of the 77th Legislature, |
|
Regular Session, 2001, is amended by adding Sections 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, |
|
5E, and 5F to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5A. IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. (a) The district may |
|
provide, or it may contract with a governmental or private entity to |
|
provide, the following types of improvement projects or activities |
|
in support of or incidental to those projects: |
|
(1) a supply and distribution facility or system to |
|
provide potable and nonpotable water to the residents and |
|
businesses of the district, including a wastewater collection |
|
facility; |
|
(2) a paved road or street, inside and outside the |
|
district, to the extent authorized by Section 52, Article III, |
|
Texas Constitution; |
|
(3) the planning, design, construction, improvement, |
|
and maintenance of: |
|
(A) landscaping; |
|
(B) highway right-of-way or transit corridor |
|
beautification and improvement; |
|
(C) lighting, banners, and signs; |
|
(D) a street or sidewalk; |
|
(E) a hiking and cycling path or trail; |
|
(F) a pedestrian walkway, skywalk, crosswalk, or |
|
tunnel; |
|
(G) a park, lake, garden, recreational facility, |
|
sports facility, golf course, open space, scenic area, or related |
|
exhibit or preserve; |
|
(H) a fountain, plaza, or pedestrian mall; or |
|
(I) a drainage or storm-water detention |
|
improvement; |
|
(4) protection and improvement of the quality of storm |
|
water that flows through the district; |
|
(5) the planning, design, construction, improvement, |
|
maintenance, and operation of: |
|
(A) a water or sewer facility; or |
|
(B) an off-street parking facility or heliport; |
|
(6) the planning and acquisition of: |
|
(A) public art and sculpture and related exhibits |
|
and facilities; or |
|
(B) an educational and cultural exhibit or |
|
facility; |
|
(7) the planning, design, construction, acquisition, |
|
lease, rental, improvement, maintenance, installation, and |
|
management of and provision of furnishings for a facility for: |
|
(A) a conference, convention, or exhibition; |
|
(B) a manufacturer, consumer, or trade show; |
|
(C) a civic, community, or institutional event; |
|
or |
|
(D) an exhibit, display, attraction, special |
|
event, or seasonal or cultural celebration or holiday; |
|
(8) the removal, razing, demolition, or clearing of |
|
land or improvements in connection with an improvement project; |
|
(9) the acquisition and improvement of land or other |
|
property for the mitigation of the environmental effects of an |
|
improvement project; |
|
(10) the acquisition of property or an interest in |
|
property in connection with an authorized improvement project; |
|
(11) a special or supplemental service for the |
|
improvement and promotion of the district or an area adjacent to the |
|
district or for the protection of public health and safety in or |
|
adjacent to the district, including: |
|
(A) advertising; |
|
(B) promotion; |
|
(C) tourism; |
|
(D) health and sanitation; |
|
(E) public safety; |
|
(F) security; |
|
(G) fire protection or emergency medical |
|
services; |
|
(H) business recruitment; |
|
(I) development; |
|
(J) elimination of traffic congestion; and |
|
(K) recreational, educational, or cultural |
|
improvements, enhancements, and services; or |
|
(12) any similar public improvement, facility, or |
|
service, including a public improvement, facility, or service |
|
normally provided by a municipal utility district or municipal |
|
management district. |
|
(b) The district may undertake: |
|
(1) the project approved by the Hays County |
|
Commissioners Court on January 11, 2000, wholly or partly; or |
|
(2) an improvement project under this section that the |
|
board determines is necessary to accomplish a public purpose of the |
|
district. |
|
Sec. 5B. CONTRACT POWERS. (a) The district may contract |
|
with any person to accomplish a district purpose, including to: |
|
(1) pay a person for any costs incurred by that person |
|
on behalf of the district, including all or part of the costs of an |
|
improvement project, and any interest on those costs; and |
|
(2) use, occupy, lease, rent, operate, maintain, or |
|
manage all or part of an improvement project. |
|
(b) The district may apply for and contract with any person |
|
to receive, administer, and perform a district duty under a |
|
federal, state, local, or private gift, grant, loan, conveyance, |
|
transfer, bequest, or other financial assistance arrangement |
|
relating to the investigation, planning, analysis, study, design, |
|
acquisition, construction, improvement, completion, |
|
implementation, or operation by the district or other entity of an |
|
improvement project. |
|
(c) The district may contract with any person to carry out a |
|
district purpose on the terms and for a period determined by the |
|
board. |
|
(d) A person may contract with the district to carry out a |
|
district purpose without further statutory or other authorization. |
|
Sec. 5C. RULES; ENFORCEMENT. (a) The district may adopt |
|
rules: |
|
(1) to administer or operate the district; |
|
(2) for the use, enjoyment, availability, protection, |
|
security, and maintenance of the district's property, including |
|
facilities; or |
|
(3) to provide for public safety and security in the |
|
district. |
|
(b) The district may enforce its rules by injunctive relief. |
|
Sec. 5D. CONFLICT WITH MUNICIPAL RULE, ORDER, OR ORDINANCE. |
|
To the extent a district rule conflicts with a rule, order, or |
|
ordinance of a municipality, the municipal rule, order, or |
|
ordinance controls. |
|
Sec. 5E. USE OF ROADWAY, PARK, OR OTHER PUBLIC AREA OR |
|
FACILITY OF DISTRICT. (a) The board by rule may regulate the |
|
private use of a public roadway, open space, park, sidewalk, or |
|
similar public area or facility in the district. A rule may provide |
|
for the safe and orderly use of public roadways, open spaces, parks, |
|
sidewalks, and similar public areas or facilities. |
|
(b) The board may require a permit for a parade, |
|
demonstration, celebration, entertainment event, or similar |
|
nongovernmental activity in or on a public roadway, open space, |
|
park, sidewalk, or similar public area or facility in the district. |
|
The board may charge a fee for the permit application or for public |
|
safety or security services for those facilities in an amount the |
|
board considers necessary. |
|
(c) The board may require a permit or franchise agreement |
|
with a vendor, concessionaire, exhibitor, or similar private or |
|
commercial person or organization for the limited use of the area or |
|
facility in the district on terms and on payment of a permit or |
|
franchise fee the board may impose. |
|
Sec. 5F. BONDS NOT SUBJECT TO JURISDICTION OR SUPERVISION |
|
OF TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OR MUNICIPALITY. (a) |
|
The district's bonds and other securities are not subject to the |
|
jurisdiction or supervision of the Texas Commission on |
|
Environmental Quality under Chapter 49, Water Code, Chapter 375, |
|
Local Government Code, or any other law. |
|
(b) Sections 375.207 and 375.208, Local Government Code, do |
|
not apply to the district. |
|
SECTION 4. Sections 7(a) and (b), Chapter 1503, Acts of the |
|
77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, are amended to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(a) The district shall [continue to] operate |
|
administratively as a municipal utility [county development] |
|
district and, subject to this Act [the provisions hereinafter set
|
|
forth], comply with Subchapters C and D, Chapter 49, Water Code, and |
|
Subchapter C, Chapter 54, Water Code [383, Local Government Code]. |
|
(b) Each director who takes office after the effective date |
|
of the [this] Act of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, |
|
amending this section shall: |
|
(1) own land in [within the boundaries of] the |
|
district; or |
|
(2) be a qualified voter in the district. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 8, Chapter 1503, Acts of the 77th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 8. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. [The legislature finds that
|
|
the principal function of the district is to provide for
|
|
development and operation of the project, to facilitate economic
|
|
development, and to attract visitors and tourists, which will
|
|
result in employment and economic activity in Hays County.] The |
|
legislature finds that the district may provide water and sewer, |
|
landscaping, drainage, and reclamation services to residential |
|
retail or commercial customers or entertainment venues. The |
|
district is a district described in Section 49.181(h)(4), Water |
|
Code. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 7(e), Acts of the 77th Legislature, |
|
Regular Session, 2001, is repealed. |
|
SECTION 7. An election to confirm a person who is a member |
|
of the board of directors of the Hays County Development District |
|
No. 1 as of May 1, 2011, is not required. |
|
SECTION 8. The legislature confirms and validates all |
|
actions of the Hays County Development District No. 1 that were |
|
taken before May 1, 2011, including any elections conducted by the |
|
district, including any election to impose maintenance and |
|
operation taxes or to adopt the powers of a road district. |
|
SECTION 9. (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 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. |
|
(c) 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 10. 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, 2011. |