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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the West Fort Bend Water Authority; |
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providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent |
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domain; providing an administrative penalty; providing authority |
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to impose fees or taxes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 6, Special District Local Laws |
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Code, is amended by adding Chapter 8878 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 8878. WEST FORT BEND WATER AUTHORITY |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 8878.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Authority" means the West Fort Bend Water |
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Authority. |
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(2) "Board" means the board of directors of the |
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authority. |
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(3) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality or its successor. |
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(4) "Director" means a member of the board. |
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(5) "District" means any district created under |
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Sections 52(b)(1) and (2), Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, |
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Texas Constitution, regardless of the manner of creation, other |
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than: |
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(A) a navigation district or port authority; |
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(B) a district governed by Chapter 36, Water |
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Code; or |
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(C) a district that does not have the legal |
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authority to supply water. |
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(6) "Groundwater reduction plan" means a plan adopted |
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or implemented to supply water, reduce reliance on groundwater, |
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regulate groundwater pumping and usage, or require and allocate |
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water usage among persons in order to comply with or exceed |
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requirements imposed by the Fort Bend Subsidence District or |
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applicable subsidence district, including any applicable |
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groundwater reduction requirements. |
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(7) "Large tract" means a tract of land of at least |
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1,000 acres owned by a single landowner. |
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(8) "Local government" means a municipality, county, |
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district, or other political subdivision of this state or a |
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combination of two or more of those entities. |
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(9) "Subsidence" means the lowering in elevation of |
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the surface of land by the withdrawal of groundwater. |
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(10) "System" means a network of pipelines, conduits, |
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valves, canals, pumping stations, force mains, treatment plants, |
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and any other construction, device, or related appurtenance used to |
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treat or transport water. |
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(11) "Water" includes: |
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(A) groundwater, percolating or otherwise; |
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(B) any surface water, natural or artificial, |
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navigable or nonnavigable; and |
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(C) industrial and municipal wastewater. |
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(12) "Well" includes a facility, device, or method |
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used to withdraw groundwater from a groundwater source within the |
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boundaries of the authority. |
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Sec. 8878.002. NATURE OF AUTHORITY. The authority is a |
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regional water authority in Fort Bend County created under and |
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essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, |
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Texas Constitution, including the acquisition and provision of |
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surface water and groundwater for residential, commercial, |
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industrial, agricultural, and other uses, the reduction of |
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groundwater withdrawals, the conservation, preservation, |
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protection, and recharge of groundwater and of groundwater |
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reservoirs or their subdivisions, the prevention of waste of |
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groundwater, the control of subsidence caused by the withdrawal of |
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water from groundwater reservoirs or their subdivisions, and other |
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public purposes stated in this chapter. The authority is a |
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political subdivision of this state. |
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Sec. 8878.003. CONFIRMATION ELECTION NOT REQUIRED. An |
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election to confirm the creation of the authority is not required. |
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Sec. 8878.004. INITIAL AUTHORITY TERRITORY. (a) The |
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authority is initially composed of the territory described by |
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Section 2 of the Act creating this chapter. |
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(b) The boundaries and field notes contained in Section 2 of |
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the Act creating this chapter form a closure. A mistake made in the |
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field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process |
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does not affect: |
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(1) the organization, existence, or validity of the |
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authority; |
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(2) the right of the authority to issue any type of |
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bond or note for the purposes for which the authority is created or |
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to pay the principal of and interest on a bond or note; |
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(3) the right of the authority to impose or collect a |
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fee, user fee, rate, charge, or special assessment; or |
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(4) the legality or operation of the authority. |
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(c) All of the territory of a local government created after |
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the effective date of the Act creating this chapter that |
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encompasses any territory within the boundaries of the authority, |
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immediately on the creation and without any action required of the |
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authority, is subject to all of the rights, powers, privileges, and |
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rules of the authority to the same extent as the territory was |
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before the local government was created. |
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Sec. 8878.005. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY. (a) The |
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governing body of a district or municipality or the owner of a large |
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tract may petition for exclusion of all of the territory of the |
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municipality, district, or large tract from the authority's |
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boundaries if, on the effective date of the Act creating this |
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chapter, all or any part of the municipality, district, or large |
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tract is located in the territory described by Section 2(a) or (b) |
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of the Act creating this chapter. The petition must be signed, as |
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applicable, by a majority of the members of the governing body of |
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the district or municipality or by the landowner of the large tract. |
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(b) The board shall: |
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(1) not later than the 180th day after the effective |
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date of the Act creating this chapter, grant the petition and order |
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the territory excluded if the petition: |
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(A) includes an accurate legal description of the |
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boundaries of the territory to be excluded; and |
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(B) is filed with the authority not later than |
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the 120th day after the effective date of the Act creating this |
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chapter; and |
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(2) if the board grants the petition, file for |
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recording in the office of the county clerk for the applicable |
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county or counties a copy of the order and a description of the |
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authority's boundaries as they exist after the exclusion of the |
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territory. |
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(c) If a district, municipality, or large tract is excluded |
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from the authority's boundaries under this section, the authority |
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is not required to: |
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(1) provide water or any other service to the |
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district, municipality, or large tract; or |
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(2) include the district, municipality, or large tract |
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in any groundwater reduction plan adopted or implemented by the |
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authority. |
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(d) If, not later than the 120th day after the effective |
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date of this chapter, the governing body of a district or |
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municipality or the owner of a large tract files a petition for |
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exclusion under this section, the authority may not impose fees, |
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user fees, rates, charges, or special assessments on the district, |
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municipality, or large tract after the petition is filed with the |
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authority unless the district, municipality, or large tract is |
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annexed by the authority under Section 8878.006. |
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(e) If a district or municipality excluded or the owner of a |
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large tract excluded from the authority's boundaries under this |
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section petitions the authority to be annexed under Section |
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8878.006, the authority may annex the district, municipality, or |
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large tract. The authority may, as a condition of annexation, |
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require terms and conditions the board considers appropriate. The |
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authority may require the district, municipality, or owner of the |
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large tract to pay the authority the fees, user fees, charges, and |
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special assessments, with interest, that, as determined by the |
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authority, the district, municipality, or owner of the large tract |
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would have been charged by the authority if the district, |
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municipality, or large tract had not been excluded from the |
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authority under this section. |
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Sec. 8878.006. ANNEXATION. (a) Except to the extent the |
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authority agrees in writing, a municipality's annexation of |
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territory within the authority does not affect: |
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(1) the authority's powers inside or outside the |
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annexed territory; |
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(2) the authority's boundaries or contracts; or |
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(3) the authority's ability to assess fees, user fees, |
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rates, charges, or special assessments inside or outside the |
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territory annexed by the municipality. |
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(b) Territory may be annexed to the authority, regardless of |
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whether the territory is contiguous to the authority, as provided |
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by Chapter 49, Water Code. |
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(c) In addition to the authority granted by Subsection (b), |
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regardless of whether the territory is contiguous to the authority, |
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the authority may annex some or all of the territory located within |
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a district or municipality if the district or municipality files |
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with the authority a petition requesting the annexation signed by a |
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majority of the members of the governing body of the district or |
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municipality. The petition must include an accurate legal |
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description of the boundaries of the territory to be included. If |
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the authority has bonds, notes, or other obligations outstanding, |
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the authority shall require the petitioning district or |
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municipality to be obligated to pay its share of the principal of |
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and interest on the outstanding bonds, notes, or other obligations, |
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and related costs. The board may grant the petition and order the |
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territory described by the petition annexed to the authority if it |
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is feasible, practicable, and to the advantage of the authority. |
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(d) Any territory that a district located within the |
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authority annexes becomes territory of the authority on the |
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effective date of the annexation without any action required of the |
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authority. The authority by rule may require all districts located |
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within the authority to send to the authority written notice of the |
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effective date of an annexation and require the districts to send to |
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the authority copies of any necessary documents describing the |
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annexed land and describing the districts' boundaries as they exist |
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after inclusion of the annexed land. |
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(e) The annexation to the authority of territory under this |
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section does not affect the validity of the authority's bonds |
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issued before or after the annexation. |
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(f) A municipality that annexes territory of the authority |
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for limited purposes under Subchapter F, Chapter 43, Local |
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Government Code, does not have the right to: |
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(1) receive notices from the authority under Section |
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8878.103(c); |
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(2) participate in the appointment of directors under |
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Subchapter B; or |
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(3) receive information about or have the opportunity |
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to fund its share of capital costs in the manner provided by the |
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authority under Section 8878.104. |
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Sec. 8878.007. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as |
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otherwise provided by this chapter, Chapter 49, Water Code, applies |
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to the authority. |
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(b) This chapter does not prevail over or preempt a |
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provision of Chapter 36, Water Code, or of Chapter 8801 or 8834 of |
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this code that is being implemented by the Fort Bend Subsidence |
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District or applicable subsidence district. |
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(c) Chapter 36, Water Code, does not apply to the authority. |
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Sec. 8878.008. FINDING OF BENEFIT. All the land, property, |
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and persons included within the boundaries of the authority will be |
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directly benefited by the works, projects, improvements, and |
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services to be provided by the authority under powers conferred by |
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Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and this chapter. The |
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authority is created to serve a public use and benefit. The |
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creation of the authority will serve to promote the health, safety, |
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and general welfare of persons within the authority and the general |
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public. Any fees, user fees, rates, charges, or special |
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assessments imposed by the authority under this chapter are |
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necessary to pay for the costs of accomplishing the purposes of the |
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authority as set forth in Section 59, Article XVI, Texas |
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Constitution, and this chapter, including: |
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(1) the reduction of groundwater withdrawals; |
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(2) the facilitation of compliance with the |
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requirements of the Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable |
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subsidence district; and |
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(3) the provision of services, facilities, and |
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systems. |
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SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Sec. 8878.051. DIRECTORS; TERMS. (a) The authority is |
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governed by a board of five directors. |
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(b) The directors serve staggered four-year terms, with two |
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or three directors' terms expiring May 15 of each even-numbered |
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year. |
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Sec. 8878.052. ELIGIBILITY TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR. To be |
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eligible to serve as a director of the authority or to be listed as |
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provided by Section 8878.056 on a ballot as a candidate for director |
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of the authority representing a director precinct, an individual |
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must: |
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(1) be at least 18 years of age; |
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(2) be a resident of the authority; and |
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(3) have served as a director of one or more districts |
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or as a member of the governing body of a municipality within the |
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authority for a total of at least four years. |
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Sec. 8878.053. DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. Subject to |
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Section 8878.061, the common law doctrine of incompatibility does |
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not disqualify an employee of a public entity from serving as a |
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director of the authority. A director who is also an employee of a |
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public entity may not participate in the discussion of or vote on a |
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matter regarding a contract with that public entity. |
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Sec. 8878.054. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. Chapter 171, Local |
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Government Code, governs conflicts of interest of board members. |
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Sec. 8878.055. SINGLE-MEMBER DIRECTOR PRECINCTS. (a) The |
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authority is divided into five single-member director precincts, |
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the initial territories of which are described by Section 3 of the |
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Act creating this chapter. |
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(b) The board may redraw the single-member director |
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precincts in a manner that is reasonable and equitable: |
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(1) after any change in the boundaries of the |
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authority; or |
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(2) by a resolution redrawing the director precincts |
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adopted by a two-thirds majority of the board, based on changed |
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circumstances. |
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(c) The boundaries and field notes for each precinct |
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contained in Section 3 of the Act creating this chapter form a |
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closure. A mistake made in the field notes or in copying the field |
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notes in the legislative process does not affect the selection of a |
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director under this chapter. |
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Sec. 8878.056. METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. (a) |
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Except as provided by Section 8878.057, the governing bodies of the |
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districts and municipalities located within each director precinct |
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jointly shall appoint one director to represent the precinct by a |
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vote conducted as provided by this section. |
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(b) If a district or municipality is located within two or |
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more director precincts, the district or municipality is |
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considered, for purposes of this section, to be located only within |
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the director precinct in which the greatest amount of territory of |
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the district or municipality is located. |
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(c) For the appointment of a director for a director |
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precinct, the board shall determine the number of votes each |
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district or municipality may cast. The number of votes for a |
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governing body of a district or municipality within the precinct is |
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equal to the number computed by dividing the total number of units |
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of water, as determined by the board, used within the precinct by |
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the district or municipality during the calendar year preceding the |
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year in which the director is selected by the total number of units |
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of water used within the precinct by all districts and |
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municipalities in the precinct, multiplying that quotient by 100, |
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and rounding that result to the nearest one-tenth. The board shall |
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provide the presiding officer of each governing body of a district |
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or municipality within each director precinct written notice of the |
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number of votes computed for that governing body to cast. |
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(d) For purposes of Subsection (c), the board shall |
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determine the amount of water usage of all districts and |
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municipalities within each director precinct. |
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(e) In the appropriate even-numbered year, the governing |
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body of each district or municipality in a director precinct by |
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resolution may nominate one candidate for the position of director |
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for that director precinct. Each district or municipality shall |
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submit the name of its candidate, if any, to the presiding officer |
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of the authority by February 15 of that year. If by February 15 of |
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that year only one candidate's name is submitted for the position of |
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director for a director precinct, the board may declare the |
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unopposed candidate elected and may cancel the director appointment |
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procedures generally required by this section for that position. |
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If more than one candidate's name is submitted for the position of |
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director for a director precinct, before March 15 of that year the |
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board shall prepare, for the director precinct or precincts from |
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which a director is being appointed, a ballot listing all of the |
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candidates for that director precinct and shall provide a copy of |
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the appropriate ballot to the presiding officer of the governing |
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body of each district or municipality located within the director |
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precinct from which a director is being appointed. |
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(f) An individual may not be listed as a candidate on the |
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ballot for more than one director position. If a candidate is |
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nominated for more than one director position, the candidate must |
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choose to be on the ballot for only one director position. |
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(g) The governing body of each district or municipality |
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shall determine its votes for director by resolution and submit |
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them to the presiding officer of the authority before May 1 of the |
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appropriate even-numbered year. In casting its votes for director, |
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the governing body of each district or municipality may vote for |
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only one candidate on the ballot for the director precinct in which |
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the district or municipality is located. For each director |
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precinct from which a director is being appointed, the board shall |
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count the votes, declare elected the candidate who received the |
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greatest number of votes from districts and municipalities located |
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within that director precinct, and submit the results before May 15 |
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of that year to the governing body of each district or municipality |
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within that director precinct. |
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(h) The board may adopt rules regarding: |
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(1) the manner and timing of determinations and |
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calculations required by this section; |
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(2) the reporting of water usage to the authority by |
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districts and municipalities; and |
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(3) the conduct and process of the appointment of |
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directors. |
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Sec. 8878.057. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS IN SPARSELY |
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POPULATED PRECINCTS. (a) For each precinct with a population of |
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less than 25,000, the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County shall |
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appoint the director for that precinct. When the population within |
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a precinct reaches 25,000, as determined by federal census |
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information or as otherwise determined by the county, that precinct |
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is eligible to nominate and appoint a director in accordance with |
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Section 8878.056, who shall serve upon the expiration of the |
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appointed director's term. |
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(b) To be eligible for appointment under this section, a |
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person must be a resident of the county. Sections 8878.052(a)(2) |
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and (3) do not apply to the eligibility of a person for appointment |
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under this section. |
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Sec. 8878.058. VACANCY IN OFFICE OF DIRECTOR. (a) A |
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vacancy in the office of director shall be filled by appointment by |
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the governing bodies of the districts and municipalities that are |
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located within the director precinct for which the vacancy |
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occurred. The appointment process shall follow the procedures of |
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Section 8878.056. The board may establish dates different from |
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those specified by Sections 8878.056(e) and (g), but the date for |
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the board's submission of the voting results to each district and |
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municipality may not be later than the 120th day after the date the |
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vacancy occurs. |
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(b) A vacancy in the office of director appointed by the |
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county under Section 8878.057 shall be filled by appointment by the |
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Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County. |
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Sec. 8878.059. MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF BOARD. (a) The |
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board may meet as many times each year as the board considers |
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appropriate. |
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(b) Directors of the authority are public officials and are |
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entitled to governmental immunity for their actions in their |
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capacity as directors and officers of the authority. |
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Sec. 8878.060. GENERAL MANAGER. (a) The board may employ a |
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general manager of the authority or contract with a person to |
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perform the duties of a general manager. The board may delegate to |
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the general manager full authority to manage and operate the |
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affairs of the authority subject only to orders of the board. |
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(b) The board may delegate to the general manager the |
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authority to employ all persons necessary for the proper handling |
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of the business and operation of the authority and to determine the |
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compensation to be paid to all employees, other than the general |
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manager. |
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Sec. 8878.061. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. A director who is |
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also an official of another public entity serves without |
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compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in |
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the performance of official duties. The expenses must be: |
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(1) reported in the authority's records; and |
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(2) approved by the board. |
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SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES |
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Sec. 8878.101. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The |
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authority may: |
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(1) provide for the conservation, preservation, |
|
protection, recharge, and prevention of waste of groundwater, and |
|
for the reduction of groundwater withdrawals as necessary to |
|
develop, implement, or enforce a groundwater reduction plan, in a |
|
manner consistent with the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, |
|
Texas Constitution, and facilitate compliance with Fort Bend |
|
Subsidence District or applicable subsidence district rules, |
|
orders, regulations, or requirements; |
|
(2) acquire or develop surface water and groundwater |
|
supplies from sources inside or outside the boundaries of the |
|
authority, conserve, store, transport, treat, purify, distribute, |
|
sell, and deliver water to or among persons inside and outside the |
|
boundaries of the authority, and allocate water among persons |
|
participating in the authority's groundwater reduction plan |
|
whether they are located inside or outside the authority's |
|
boundaries; |
|
(3) enter into contracts with persons inside or |
|
outside the authority on terms and conditions the board considers |
|
desirable, fair, and advantageous for the performance of its |
|
rights, powers, and authority under this chapter; |
|
(4) coordinate water services provided inside, |
|
outside, or into the authority; |
|
(5) provide wholesale and retail water services to any |
|
users or customers within the authority's boundaries without being |
|
required to execute contracts with those users or customers; |
|
(6) adopt policies establishing whether, when, and the |
|
manner in which the authority uses requests for proposals in |
|
obtaining services, including professional services; |
|
(7) determine whether to adopt administrative |
|
policies in addition to those required by Section 49.199, Water |
|
Code; and |
|
(8) administer and enforce this chapter. |
|
(b) Sections 49.451-49.455, Water Code, do not apply to the |
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authority. |
|
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(5), the authority may |
|
not provide retail water service to a retail user within the |
|
authority's boundaries that is located within the boundaries of a |
|
district or municipality on the date the authority awards a |
|
contract for the construction or executes a contract for the |
|
acquisition of water facilities to serve that retail user, unless: |
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(1) the district or municipality consents in writing |
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to the authority's provision of retail water service; or |
|
(2) the retail user owns or operates a well. |
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(d) If a retail user that does not own or operate a well is |
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added to the boundaries of a district or municipality after the date |
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the authority awards a contract for the construction or executes a |
|
contract for the acquisition of water facilities to serve that |
|
retail user, the authority may provide retail service to that |
|
retail user without the written consent of the district or |
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municipality. |
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Sec. 8878.102. AUTHORITY RULES. The authority may adopt |
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and enforce rules reasonably required to implement this chapter, |
|
including rules governing procedures before the board and rules |
|
regarding implementation, enforcement, and any other matters |
|
related to the authority's water supply or groundwater reduction |
|
plan. |
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Sec. 8878.103. FEES, USER FEES, RATES, AND CHARGES. (a) |
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The authority may establish fees, user fees, rates, and charges and |
|
classifications of payers of fees and rates as necessary to enable |
|
the authority to fulfill the authority's purposes and regulatory |
|
functions provided by this chapter. The authority may impose fees, |
|
user fees, rates, and charges on any person within the authority. |
|
(b) The authority may charge the owner of a well located |
|
within the authority's boundaries a fee or user fee according to the |
|
amount of water pumped from the well. If ownership of a well |
|
changes, both the prior and subsequent well owners are liable to the |
|
authority, jointly and severally, for all fees and user fees |
|
imposed by the authority under this subsection, and any related |
|
penalties and interest, for water pumped from that well before the |
|
change in well ownership. Notwithstanding Subsection (d), the |
|
authority may impose the charge under this subsection on a well or |
|
class of wells that cease to be subject to a groundwater reduction |
|
requirement on or after June 30, 2013. |
|
(c) The board shall make reasonable efforts to send |
|
districts and municipalities written notice of the date, time, and |
|
location of the meeting at which the board intends to adopt a |
|
proposed charge under Subsection (b) and the amount of the proposed |
|
charge. The board's failure to comply with this subsection does not |
|
invalidate a charge adopted by the board under Subsection (b). |
|
(d) For wells located in Fort Bend County, the board shall |
|
exempt from the charge under Subsection (b) classes of wells that |
|
are not subject to any groundwater reduction requirement imposed by |
|
the Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable subsidence |
|
district. If any of those classes of wells become subject to a |
|
groundwater reduction requirement imposed by the applicable |
|
subsidence district, the authority may impose the charge under |
|
Subsection (b) on those classes. The board by rule may exempt any |
|
other classes of wells from the charge under Subsection (b). The |
|
board may not apply the charge under Subsection (b) to a well: |
|
(1) with a casing diameter of less than five inches |
|
that serves only a single-family dwelling; or |
|
(2) regulated under Chapter 27, Water Code. |
|
(e) For purposes of Subsection (d), a well is subject to a |
|
groundwater reduction requirement if the applicable subsidence |
|
district has adopted or adopts a requirement or rule that |
|
groundwater withdrawals from the well, or from the well and other |
|
wells collectively, be reduced, including a groundwater reduction |
|
that is not required until a future date. |
|
(f) The authority may establish fees, user fees, rates, and |
|
charges that are sufficient to: |
|
(1) achieve water conservation; |
|
(2) prevent waste of water; |
|
(3) serve as a disincentive to pumping groundwater; |
|
(4) develop, implement, or enforce a groundwater |
|
reduction plan; |
|
(5) accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including |
|
making available alternative water supplies; |
|
(6) enable the authority to meet operation and |
|
maintenance expenses; |
|
(7) pay the principal of and interest on notes, bonds, |
|
and other obligations issued in connection with the exercise of the |
|
authority's general powers and duties; and |
|
(8) satisfy all rate covenants relating to the |
|
issuance of notes, bonds, and other obligations. |
|
(g) The authority may charge rates established by the |
|
authority for water purchased from the authority. |
|
(h) The authority may impose fees, user fees, or charges for |
|
the importation of water into the authority's boundaries from a |
|
source located outside the authority's boundaries. |
|
(i) The authority may impose a reasonable export fee or |
|
surcharge for groundwater transferred out of the authority, in an |
|
amount not to exceed 150 percent of the surface water fee charged by |
|
the North Fort Bend Water Authority. |
|
Sec. 8878.104. PURCHASE OF WATER FROM ANOTHER ENTITY. (a) |
|
If the authority purchases water from another entity for resale to |
|
local governments, the authority shall use its best efforts in |
|
negotiating with the entity to determine the amount of capital |
|
costs included in any rates or charges paid by the authority. The |
|
authority shall determine the amount of expected capital costs of |
|
its own system. |
|
(b) The authority shall provide each district or |
|
municipality within its boundaries information regarding the share |
|
of the capital costs to be paid by the district or municipality, as |
|
determined by the authority, and shall provide each district or |
|
municipality the opportunity, in a manner and by a procedure |
|
determined by the authority, to fund its share of the capital costs |
|
with proceeds from the sale of bonds or fees and charges collected |
|
by the districts or municipalities. A district or municipality may |
|
use any lawful source of revenue, including bond funds, to pay any |
|
sums due to the authority. |
|
(c) The authority may adopt a procedure by which a district |
|
or municipality may receive a credit from the authority. The board |
|
may adopt any other procedure necessary to accomplish the goals of |
|
this section. |
|
(d) In complying with this section, the authority may use |
|
any reasonable basis to calculate from time to time the share of the |
|
capital costs of a district or municipality. The authority may |
|
calculate the shares of the capital costs based on the amount of |
|
water used within the authority by the district or municipality |
|
during the calendar year preceding the year in which the |
|
calculation is made. |
|
(e) This section or any failure to comply with this section |
|
does not limit or impede the authority's ability to issue bonds or |
|
notes or invalidate any fees, user fees, charges, rates, or special |
|
assessments imposed by the authority. |
|
Sec. 8878.105. ASSESSMENTS. (a) The board may undertake |
|
improvement projects and services that confer a special benefit on |
|
all or a definable part of the authority. The board may impose |
|
special assessments on property in that area, including property of |
|
a local government, based on the benefit conferred by the |
|
improvement project or services, to pay all or part of the cost of |
|
the project and services. The board may provide improvements and |
|
services to an area outside the boundaries of the authority if the |
|
board determines that there is a benefit to the authority. The |
|
authority may finance with special assessments any improvement |
|
project or service authorized by this chapter or any other |
|
applicable law. |
|
(b) Services or improvement projects may be financed with |
|
special assessments under this chapter only after the board holds a |
|
public hearing on the advisability of the improvements and services |
|
and the proposed assessments. |
|
(c) The board shall publish notice of the hearing in a |
|
newspaper or newspapers with general circulation in Fort Bend |
|
County. The publication must be made not later than the 30th day |
|
before the date of the hearing. |
|
(d) Notice provided under this section must include: |
|
(1) the time and place of the hearing; |
|
(2) the general nature of the proposed improvement |
|
project or services; |
|
(3) the estimated cost of the improvement, including |
|
interest during construction and associated financing costs; and |
|
(4) the proposed method of assessment. |
|
(e) Written notice containing the information required by |
|
Subsection (d) shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt |
|
requested, not later than the 30th day before the date of the |
|
hearing. The notice shall be mailed to each person within the |
|
authority who holds a permit for a well issued by the Fort Bend |
|
Subsidence District or applicable subsidence district and whose |
|
well is subject to a groundwater reduction requirement imposed by |
|
that district. The Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable |
|
subsidence district shall provide to the authority a list of |
|
persons who hold such a permit. |
|
(f) The board may establish rules regarding procedures for a |
|
hearing. A hearing on the services or improvement project, whether |
|
conducted by the board or a hearings examiner, may be adjourned from |
|
time to time. At the conclusion of a hearing conducted by the |
|
board, the board shall make written findings and conclusions |
|
relating to the advisability of the improvement project or |
|
services, the nature of the improvement project or services, the |
|
estimated cost, and the area benefited. If the board appoints a |
|
hearings examiner to conduct the hearing, after conclusion of the |
|
hearing, the hearings examiner shall file with the board a written |
|
report of the examiner's findings and conclusions. |
|
(g) At a hearing on proposed assessments, on adjournment of |
|
the hearing, or after consideration of the hearings examiner's |
|
report, the board shall hear and rule on all objections to each |
|
proposed assessment. The board may amend proposed assessments for |
|
any property. After the board hears and takes action on those |
|
objections, the board, by order: |
|
(1) shall impose the assessments as special |
|
assessments on the property; |
|
(2) shall specify the method of payment of the |
|
assessments; and |
|
(3) may provide that those assessments, including |
|
interest, be paid in periodic installments. |
|
(h) Periodic installments must be in amounts sufficient to |
|
meet annual costs for services and improvements as provided by |
|
Subsection (j) and continue for the number of years required to |
|
retire the indebtedness or pay for the services to be rendered. The |
|
board may provide interest charges or penalties for failure to make |
|
timely payment and may impose an amount to cover delinquencies and |
|
expenses of collection. |
|
(i) If assessments are imposed for more than one service or |
|
improvement project, the board may provide that assessments |
|
collected for one service or improvement project may be borrowed to |
|
be used for another service or improvement project. The board shall |
|
establish a procedure for the distribution or use of any |
|
assessments in excess of those necessary to finance the services or |
|
improvement project for which those assessments were collected. |
|
(j) The board shall apportion the cost of an improvement |
|
project or services to be assessed against the property in the |
|
authority according to the special benefits that accrue to the |
|
property because of the improvement project or services. The board |
|
may assess the cost only according to the number of gallons of |
|
groundwater pumped from wells within the authority that are subject |
|
to a groundwater reduction requirement imposed by the Fort Bend |
|
Subsidence District or applicable subsidence district. The board |
|
may not assess the cost according to groundwater pumped from: |
|
(1) a well with a casing diameter of less than five |
|
inches that serves only a single-family dwelling; or |
|
(2) a well that is regulated by Chapter 27, Water Code. |
|
(k) The area of the authority to be assessed according to |
|
the findings of the board may be the entire authority or any part of |
|
the authority and may be less than the area proposed in the notice |
|
of the hearing. |
|
(l) The area to be assessed may not include property that is |
|
not within the authority boundaries at the time of the hearing |
|
unless there is an additional hearing, following the required |
|
notice. |
|
(m) Notwithstanding Subsection (l), the owner of land |
|
annexed to the authority after the authority has imposed |
|
assessments may waive the right to notice and an assessment hearing |
|
and may agree to the imposition and payment of assessments at an |
|
agreed rate for land annexed to the authority. A district or |
|
municipality may waive the right to notice and an assessment |
|
hearing for land within its boundaries annexed to the authority and |
|
may agree to the imposition and payment of assessments at an agreed |
|
rate for the annexed land. |
|
(n) The board shall have prepared an assessment roll showing |
|
the assessments against each property and the board's basis for the |
|
assessment. The assessment roll shall be: |
|
(1) filed with the secretary of the board or other |
|
officer who performs the function of secretary; and |
|
(2) open for public inspection. |
|
(o) After notice and hearing in the manner required for an |
|
original assessment, the board may make supplemental assessments to |
|
correct omissions or mistakes in the assessment: |
|
(1) relating to the total cost of the improvement |
|
project or services; or |
|
(2) covering delinquencies or costs of collection. |
|
Sec. 8878.106. INTEREST AND PENALTIES. The board may |
|
require the payment of interest on any late or unpaid fees, user |
|
fees, rates, charges, and special assessments due the authority, |
|
but the interest rate may not exceed the interest rate permitted by |
|
Section 2251.025, Government Code. The board may also impose |
|
penalties for the failure to make a complete or timely payment to |
|
the authority. In addition, the board may exclude a person, or any |
|
territory or well owned or controlled by a person, from the |
|
authority's groundwater reduction plan for failure to make a |
|
complete or timely payment to the authority. |
|
Sec. 8878.107. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COLLECTION EXPENSES. |
|
(a) The authority is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees |
|
incurred by the authority in enforcing its rules. |
|
(b) The authority is entitled to collection expenses and |
|
reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the authority in collecting |
|
any delinquent fees, user fees, rates, and charges and any related |
|
penalties and interest. |
|
Sec. 8878.108. LIEN. (a) Fees and user fees imposed by the |
|
authority under Section 8878.103(b), any related penalties and |
|
interest, and collection expenses and reasonable attorney's fees |
|
incurred by the authority: |
|
(1) are a first and prior lien against the well to |
|
which the fees or user fees apply; |
|
(2) are superior to any other lien or claim other than |
|
a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem |
|
taxes; and |
|
(3) are the personal liability of and a charge against |
|
the owner of the well. |
|
(b) A lien under this section is effective from the date of |
|
the resolution or order of the board imposing the fee or user fee |
|
until the fee or user fee is paid. |
|
(c) The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that a |
|
municipal utility district operating under Chapter 54, Water Code, |
|
may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property. |
|
Sec. 8878.109. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) A |
|
person who violates a rule or order of the authority is subject to |
|
an administrative penalty of not more than $5,000, as determined by |
|
the board, for each violation or each day of a continuing violation. |
|
The person shall pay the penalty to the authority. |
|
(b) The authority may bring an action to recover the penalty |
|
in a district court in the county where the violation occurred. |
|
(c) The authority may bring an action for injunctive relief |
|
in a district court in the county where a violation of an authority |
|
rule or order occurs or is threatened to occur. The court may grant |
|
to the authority, without bond or other undertaking, a prohibitory |
|
or mandatory injunction that the facts warrant, including a |
|
temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, or permanent |
|
injunction. |
|
(d) The authority may bring an action for an administrative |
|
penalty and injunctive relief in the same proceeding. |
|
Sec. 8878.110. WATER SUPPLY OR DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS. |
|
The authority by rule may develop, prepare, revise, adopt, |
|
implement, enforce, and manage comprehensive water supply or |
|
drought contingency plans for the authority, or any portion of the |
|
authority. |
|
Sec. 8878.111. GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLAN. (a) The |
|
authority may wholly or partly develop, prepare, revise, adopt, |
|
implement, enforce, manage, or participate in a groundwater |
|
reduction plan that is applicable only to the authority and one or |
|
more persons outside the authority. The authority may require that |
|
any groundwater reduction plan that the authority wholly or partly |
|
develops, prepares, revises, adopts, implements, enforces, or |
|
manages or in which the authority participates be the exclusive |
|
groundwater reduction plan that is binding and mandatory on some or |
|
all of the territory, persons, or wells located within the |
|
authority. A groundwater reduction plan may: |
|
(1) specify the measures to be taken to reduce |
|
groundwater withdrawals; |
|
(2) identify alternative sources of water, including |
|
water from the authority, to be provided to those affected; |
|
(3) identify the rates, terms, and conditions under |
|
which alternative sources of water will be provided, which may be |
|
changed from time to time as considered necessary by the authority; |
|
(4) specify the dates and extent to which persons or |
|
districts within the authority's boundaries shall reduce or cease |
|
reliance on groundwater and accept water from alternative sources, |
|
including water from the authority; |
|
(5) include other terms and measures that are |
|
consistent with the powers and duties of the authority; |
|
(6) exceed the minimum requirements imposed by the |
|
Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable subsidence district, |
|
including any applicable groundwater reduction requirements; and |
|
(7) be amended from time to time at the discretion of |
|
the authority. |
|
(b) Fees, user fees, rates, charges, and special |
|
assessments of the authority may be imposed under this chapter for a |
|
person's participation in and benefit derived from the authority's |
|
groundwater reduction plan, a groundwater reduction plan in which |
|
the authority participates, or the authority's works, projects, |
|
improvements, and services to be provided by the authority under |
|
powers conferred by Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, |
|
and this chapter. |
|
Sec. 8878.112. ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF |
|
SYSTEMS. (a) The authority may: |
|
(1) acquire by purchase, gift, lease, contract, or any |
|
other legal means a water treatment or supply system, or any other |
|
works, plants, improvements, or facilities necessary or convenient |
|
to accomplish the purposes of the authority, or any interest of the |
|
authority, inside or outside the authority's boundaries; |
|
(2) design, finance, operate, maintain, or construct a |
|
water treatment or supply system or any other works, plants, |
|
improvements, or facilities necessary or convenient to accomplish |
|
the purposes of the authority and provide water services inside or |
|
outside the authority's boundaries; |
|
(3) lease or sell a water treatment or supply system or |
|
any other works, plants, improvements, or facilities necessary or |
|
convenient to accomplish the purposes of the authority that the |
|
authority constructs or acquires inside or outside the authority's |
|
boundaries; |
|
(4) contract with any person to operate or maintain a |
|
water treatment or supply system the person owns; or |
|
(5) acquire water rights under any law or permit. |
|
(b) The authority may contract, according to terms and |
|
conditions the board considers desirable, fair, and advantageous, |
|
with a person outside the authority's boundaries: |
|
(1) to allow the person, or the person's well, to be |
|
included in a groundwater reduction plan adopted or implemented |
|
wholly or partly by the authority or in a groundwater reduction plan |
|
in which the authority participates; |
|
(2) to sell water to the person; or |
|
(3) to sell the person available excess capacity or |
|
additional capacity of the authority's water treatment or supply |
|
system. |
|
(c) The authority by rule may require that the plans and |
|
specifications of water lines to be constructed within the |
|
authority that are designed or intended to serve more than one |
|
district or more than one person owning or holding a well permit |
|
issued by the Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable |
|
subsidence district be approved by the authority before the |
|
commencement of construction of the water lines. |
|
Sec. 8878.113. SALE OR REUSE OF WATER OR BY-PRODUCT. The |
|
authority may store, sell, or reuse: |
|
(1) water; or |
|
(2) any by-product from the authority's operations. |
|
Sec. 8878.114. CONTRACTS. (a) The authority may enter into |
|
a contract with a person for the performance of a purpose or |
|
function of the authority, including a contract to design, |
|
construct, finance, lease, own, manage, operate, or maintain works, |
|
improvements, facilities, plants, equipment, or appliances |
|
necessary to accomplish a purpose or function of the authority. A |
|
contract may be of unlimited duration. |
|
(b) The authority may purchase, acquire, finance, or lease |
|
an interest in a project used for a purpose or function of the |
|
authority. |
|
(c) The authority may contract for: |
|
(1) the purchase, sale, or lease of water or water |
|
rights; |
|
(2) the performance of activities within the powers of |
|
the authority through the purchase, construction, or installation |
|
of works, improvements, facilities, plants, equipment, or |
|
appliances; or |
|
(3) the design, construction, ownership, management, |
|
maintenance, or operation of any works, improvements, facilities, |
|
plants, equipment, or appliances of the authority or another |
|
person. |
|
(d) The authority may purchase surplus property from this |
|
state, the United States, or another public entity through a |
|
negotiated contract without bids. |
|
Sec. 8878.115. COOPERATION WITH AND ASSISTANCE OF OTHER |
|
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) In implementing this chapter, the |
|
board may cooperate with and request the assistance of the Texas |
|
Water Development Board, the commission, the United States |
|
Geological Survey, the Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable |
|
subsidence district, other local governments, and other agencies of |
|
the United States and this state. |
|
(b) The Fort Bend Subsidence District or applicable |
|
subsidence district may enter into an interlocal contract with the |
|
authority to carry out the authority's purposes and may carry out |
|
the governmental functions and services specified in the interlocal |
|
contract. |
|
(c) For the purpose of reducing costs associated with |
|
preparing a groundwater reduction plan, the board may consider the |
|
usefulness of a water supply study or plan prepared by or on behalf |
|
of the North Fort Bend Water Authority, the Central Harris County |
|
Regional Water Authority, the North Harris County Regional Water |
|
Authority, the West Harris County Regional Water Authority, the |
|
City of Houston, the City of Sugar Land, the City of Missouri City, |
|
Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2, the |
|
City of Richmond, the City of Rosenberg, Pecan Grove Municipal |
|
Utility District, or another governmental entity to the extent the |
|
study or plan is available and applicable to the authority. |
|
Sec. 8878.116. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The authority may accept a |
|
gift or grant from money collected by the Fort Bend Subsidence |
|
District or applicable subsidence district to fund the |
|
construction, maintenance, or operation of a water treatment or |
|
supply system. |
|
Sec. 8878.117. EXPENDITURES. (a) The authority's money |
|
may be disbursed only by check, draft, order, federal reserve wire |
|
system, or other instrument or authorization. |
|
(b) Disbursements of the authority must be signed by at |
|
least a majority of the directors. The board by resolution may |
|
allow the general manager, treasurer, bookkeeper, or other employee |
|
of the authority to sign disbursements, except as limited by |
|
Subsection (c). |
|
(c) The board by resolution may allow disbursements to be |
|
transferred by federal reserve wire system to accounts in the name |
|
of the authority without the necessity of any directors signing the |
|
disbursement. Disbursements of the authority's money by federal |
|
reserve wire system to any accounts not in the name of the authority |
|
must be signed by at least a majority of the directors. |
|
Sec. 8878.118. AD VALOREM TAXATION. The authority may not |
|
impose an ad valorem tax. |
|
Sec. 8878.119. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) The authority may |
|
acquire by condemnation any land, easements, or other property |
|
inside the authority's boundaries to further authorized purposes, |
|
powers, or duties of the authority. The authority may acquire by |
|
condemnation any land, easements, or other property outside the |
|
authority's boundaries for the purposes of pumping, storing, |
|
treating, or transporting water. When exercising the power of |
|
eminent domain granted by this section, the authority may elect to |
|
condemn either the fee simple title or a lesser property interest. |
|
(b) The authority may exercise the power of eminent domain |
|
in the manner provided by Chapter 21, Property Code. The authority |
|
is not required to give bond for appeal or bond for costs in a |
|
condemnation suit or other suit to which it is a party. The |
|
authority is not required to deposit more than the amount of an |
|
award in a suit. |
|
(c) The authority may not use the power of eminent domain |
|
for the condemnation of land for the purpose of acquiring rights to |
|
groundwater or for the purpose of acquiring water or water rights. |
|
Sec. 8878.120. ACTION AGAINST PERSON, DISTRICT, OR |
|
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) The authority may bring an action in a |
|
district court against a person, including a district or other |
|
political subdivision located in the authority's territory or |
|
included in the authority's groundwater reduction plan, to: |
|
(1) recover any fees, rates, charges, assessments, |
|
collection expenses, attorney's fees, interest, penalties, or |
|
administrative penalties due the authority; or |
|
(2) enforce the authority's rules or orders. |
|
(b) Governmental immunity from suit or liability of a |
|
district or other political subdivision is waived for the purposes |
|
of an action under this section. |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. BONDS AND NOTES |
|
Sec. 8878.151. REVENUE BONDS AND NOTES. (a) The authority |
|
may issue bonds or notes payable solely from revenue from any |
|
source, including: |
|
(1) tolls, charges, rates, fees, user fees, and |
|
special assessments the authority imposes or collects; |
|
(2) the sale of water, water services, water rights or |
|
capacity, water transmission rights or services, water pumping, or |
|
any other service or product of the authority provided inside or |
|
outside the boundaries of the authority; |
|
(3) grants or gifts; |
|
(4) the ownership or operation of all or a designated |
|
part of the authority's works, improvements, facilities, plants, or |
|
equipment; and |
|
(5) contracts between the authority and any person. |
|
(b) Notes issued by the authority may be first or |
|
subordinate lien notes at the board's discretion. |
|
(c) In connection with any bonds or notes of the authority, |
|
the authority may exercise any power of an issuer under Chapter |
|
1371, Government Code. |
|
(d) The authority may conduct a public, private, or |
|
negotiated sale of the bonds or notes. |
|
(e) The authority may enter into one or more indentures of |
|
trust to further secure its bonds or notes. |
|
(f) The authority may issue bonds or notes in more than one |
|
series as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. In |
|
issuing bonds or notes secured by revenue of the authority, the |
|
authority may reserve the right to issue additional bonds or notes |
|
secured by the authority's revenue that are on a parity with or are |
|
senior or subordinate to the bonds or notes issued earlier. |
|
(g) A resolution of the board authorizing the bonds or notes |
|
or a trust indenture securing the bonds or notes may specify |
|
additional provisions that constitute a contract between the |
|
authority and its bondholders or noteholders. |
|
(h) Bonds and notes may be additionally secured by deed of |
|
trust or mortgage on any or all of the authority's facilities. |
|
(i) The authority may issue refunding bonds or notes to |
|
refund any of its bonds or notes in any manner provided by law. |
|
(j) Sections 49.153, 49.154, and 49.181, Water Code, do not |
|
apply to bonds or notes issued by the authority. Commission rules |
|
regarding bonds or notes do not apply to bonds or notes issued by |
|
the authority. |
|
SECTION 2. The West Fort Bend Water Authority initially |
|
includes the territory that is contained in the following area, |
|
regardless of whether the territory contains noncontiguous parcels |
|
of land or whether the territory is located within the boundaries of |
|
any other governmental entity or political subdivision of the |
|
state: |
|
Fort Bend County, save and except the following: |
|
1. Territory included within the boundaries of North Fort |
|
Bend Water Authority and the West Harris County Regional Water |
|
Authority as of January 1, 2013; |
|
2. Territory included within the corporate limits of the |
|
City of Houston as of January 1, 2013; and |
|
3. Territory included within the corporate or |
|
extraterritorial jurisdiction limits of the following |
|
municipalities as of January 1, 2013: |
|
a. City of Alvin, |
|
b. City of Arcola, |
|
c. City of Fulshear, |
|
d. City of Missouri City, |
|
e. City of Pearland, |
|
f. City of Richmond, |
|
g. City of Rosenberg, |
|
h. City of Stafford, and |
|
i. City of Sugar Land; and |
|
4. Territory included in Oak Bend Forest, a subdivision per |
|
plat or map recorded under Slide 1214 A&B of the Plat Records of |
|
Fort Bend County, Texas that lies within Fort Bend County; and |
|
5. All of the H.T.&B. RR. Co. Survey, Abstract No. 622, Fort |
|
Bend County, Texas; and |
|
6. Territory included within that portion of the |
|
extraterritorial jurisdiction limits of the City of Houston bounded |
|
on the East by the corporate and extraterritorial limits of the City |
|
of Pearland, bounded on the South by the extraterritorial limits of |
|
the City of Arcola, the South right-of-way of State Highway No. 6, |
|
and the corporate limits of the City of Missouri City, bounded on |
|
the West by the corporate and extraterritorial limits of the City of |
|
Missouri City and the corporate limits of the City of Houston, and |
|
bounded on North by the corporate limits of the City of Houston. |
|
SECTION 3. The West Fort Bend Water Authority includes five |
|
single-member director precincts as follows: |
|
Precinct 1 |
|
Description |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of the Brazos River, same |
|
being the East line of Austin County for the common West corner of |
|
Waller and Fort Bend Counties; |
|
THENCE, in a general Easterly direction, along and with the South |
|
line of said Waller County, same being the North line of said Fort |
|
Bend County to the intersection of said County line with the West |
|
limits of the City of Fulshear Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all |
|
references to the limits of the City of Fulshear Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, Southerly and Easterly, along and with the West limits of |
|
said City of Fulshear Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to the |
|
intersection of an interior South line of said City of Fulshear |
|
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction with the West line of the North Fort |
|
Bend Water Authority; |
|
THENCE, Southerly, along and with the West line of said North Fort |
|
Bend Water Authority to the intersection of said West line with an |
|
interior North line of said City of Fulshear Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction in the centerline of North Fulshear Drive; |
|
THENCE, Westerly, Southerly, and Easterly, along and with the |
|
Westerly limits of said City of Fulshear Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction and partly along and with the Easterly limits of the |
|
City of Weston Lakes Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references |
|
to the limits of the City of Weston Lakes Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013) to a point in the centerline |
|
of Farm to Market (FM) Highway No. 1093; |
|
THENCE, Westerly, along and with the centerline of said FM 1093, to |
|
the intersection of said centerline with the centerline of said |
|
Brazos River, same being the East line of said Austin County and the |
|
West line of said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, in a general Northerly direction, upstream and along and |
|
with the centerline of said Brazos River, same being the East line |
|
of said Austin County and the West line of said Fort Bend County to |
|
the POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
Precinct 2 |
|
Description |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of the Brazos River, same |
|
being the East line of Austin County and the West line of said Fort |
|
Bend County for the intersection of the centerline of said Brazos |
|
River with the centerline of Farm to Market (FM) Highway No. 1093; |
|
THENCE, in an Easterly direction, along and with the centerline of |
|
said FM 1093 to the intersection of said centerline with an interior |
|
West line of the City of Fulshear Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
(all references to the limits of the City of Fulshear |
|
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, in a Southeasterly direction, along and with the West |
|
limits of said City of Fulshear Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to |
|
the intersection of said West limits with the West line of the North |
|
Fort Bend Water Authority; |
|
THENCE, Southerly and Easterly, along and with the West and South |
|
lines of said North Fort Bend Water Authority to the intersection of |
|
the South line of said North Fort Bend Water Authority with the West |
|
line of the City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all |
|
references to the limits of the City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, Southerly, along and with the Westerly limits of said City |
|
of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to a point in the |
|
centerline of U.S. Highway 90A; |
|
THENCE, Westerly, along and with the centerline of U.S. Highway |
|
90A, to the intersection of said centerline with the centerline of |
|
the San Bernard River, same being the East line of Wharton County |
|
and the West line of said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, in a general Northerly direction and upstream along and |
|
with the centerline of said San Bernard River, same being the East |
|
line of said Wharton County and the West line of said Fort Bend |
|
County to a point for the common West corner of said Austin County |
|
and said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, Easterly and Northerly, along and with South and East lines |
|
of said Austin County, same being an interior North line and the |
|
West line of said Fort Bend County to a point in the centerline of |
|
said Brazos River; |
|
THENCE, in a general Northerly direction, upstream and along and |
|
with the centerline of said Brazos River, same being the East line |
|
of said Austin County and the West line of said Fort Bend County to |
|
the POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
Precinct 3 |
|
Description |
|
PART 1 |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the center of the San Bernard River, same |
|
being the East line of Wharton County and the West line of Fort bend |
|
County for the intersection of the centerline of said San Bernard |
|
River with the centerline of US Highway 90; |
|
THENCE, in an Easterly Northeast direction, along and with the |
|
centerline of said US Highway 90 to the intersection of said |
|
centerline with a Northerly extension of the West right-of-way line |
|
of Beasley - West End Road, same being an interior West line of the |
|
City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references to |
|
the limits of the City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
are as of January 1, 2013), same also being an interior East line of |
|
the City of Orchard Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references |
|
to the limits of the City of Orchard Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
are as of January 1, 2013) ; |
|
THENCE, along and with the common line between the Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction limits of said City of Rosenberg and said City of |
|
Orchard and along and with the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
Boundary Agreement between said cities as established and described |
|
in City of Orchard Ordinance No. 68-2003 the following courses; |
|
Southerly along and with the Westerly right-of-way line of |
|
said Beasley - West End Road to the intersection of said Westerly |
|
right-of-way line with the Northwesterly right-of-way line of |
|
Drachenberg Road; |
|
Southwesterly, along and with the Northwesterly right-of-way |
|
line of said Drachenberg Road to the intersection of said |
|
Northwesterly right-of-way line with the Northeasterly |
|
right-of-way line of Hopkins Road; |
|
Northwesterly and Westerly, along and with the Northeasterly |
|
and Northerly line of Hopkins Road to the intersection of said |
|
Northerly right-of-way line with the East right-of-way of Engle |
|
Road; |
|
Southerly, along and with the East right-of-line of said |
|
Engle Road to the intersection of said East right-of-way line with |
|
the North right-of-way of Koym Road; |
|
Westerly, along and with the North right-of-way line of said |
|
Kyom Road, approximately 4,580 feet to a Northwest corner of the |
|
limits of said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction; |
|
THENCE, in a general Southerly, Easterly, and Northerly directions, |
|
along and with the West and South corporate limits of the City of |
|
Rosenberg (all references to the corporate limits of the City of |
|
Rosenberg are as of January 1, 2013) and the limits of said City of |
|
Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to the intersection of the |
|
South limits of said City of Rosenberg with the intersection of the |
|
centerline of State Highway No. 36; |
|
THENCE, Southerly and Southeasterly, along and with the centerline |
|
of said State Highway No. 36 to a point in the North line of Brazoria |
|
County, same being the south line of said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, in a general Southwesterly direction, along and with the |
|
North line of said Brazoria County, same being the south line of |
|
said Fort Bend County to a point in the centerline of said San |
|
Bernard River, same being the Easterly line of said Wharton County |
|
for the Southwest corner of said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, in a general Northwesterly direction, upstream and along |
|
and with the centerline of said San Bernard River, same being the |
|
Easterly line of said Wharton County and the Westerly line of said |
|
Fort Bend County to the POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
PART 2 |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of said US Highway 90, being |
|
the intersection of said centerline with an interior West line of |
|
the limits of said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
and being located West Southwesterly along the centerline of said |
|
US Highway 90 approximately 3,820 feet from the intersection of the |
|
centerlines of said US Highway 90 and Spencer Road; |
|
THENCE, Southerly, along and with an interior West line of the |
|
limits said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to a |
|
point in the right-of-way of Randon School Road; |
|
THENCE, Westerly, along and with an interior North line of said City |
|
of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and generally along the |
|
Randon School Road approximately 1,900 feet to an interior corner |
|
of the limits of said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction; |
|
THENCE, Northerly, along and with an interior East line of the |
|
limits said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to a |
|
point in the centerline of said US Highway 90; |
|
THENCE, East Northeasterly, along and with the centerline of said |
|
US Highway 90 to the POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
PART 3 |
|
All of the corporate limits of the City of Beasley and all of that |
|
land within the limits of the City of Beasley Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction (all references to the corporate limits of the City of |
|
Beasley and the limits of the City of Orchard Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013. |
|
Precinct 4 |
|
Description |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the North line of Brazoria County, same |
|
being the South line of Fort Bend County and being the intersection |
|
of said common County line with the centerline of State Highway No. |
|
36; |
|
THENCE, Northwesterly and Northerly, along and with the centerline |
|
of said State Highway No. 36 to the intersection of said centerline |
|
with the South corporate limits of the City of Rosenberg (all |
|
references to the corporate limits of the City of Rosenberg are as |
|
of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, Southerly, Easterly, and Northerly along and with the |
|
Southerly and Easterly limits of the South corporate limits of said |
|
City of Rosenberg and the City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction (all references to the limits of the City of Rosenberg |
|
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013) to the |
|
intersection of said Easterly limits with the centerline of Farm to |
|
Market Highway (FM) 762; |
|
THENCE, in a general Southerly direction, along and with the |
|
centerline of said FM 762 to the intersection of said centerline |
|
with the centerline of FM 1462; |
|
THENCE, Westerly and Southwesterly, along and with the centerline |
|
of said FM 1462 to the intersection of said centerline with the |
|
North line of said Brazoria County, same being the South line of |
|
said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, Northwesterly, along and with the North line of said |
|
Brazoria County, same being the South line of said Fort Bend County |
|
to the POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
Precinct 5 |
|
Description |
|
BEGINNING at a point in the North line of Brazoria County, same |
|
being the South line of Fort Bend County and being the Southwesterly |
|
intersection of said common County line with the centerline Farm to |
|
Market Highway (FM) 1462 and being located approximately 250 feet |
|
Southwesterly from the intersection of said FM 1462 with Nordt |
|
Road; |
|
THENCE, Northeasterly and Easterly, along and with the centerline |
|
of said FM 1462 to the intersection of said centerline with the |
|
centerline of FM 762; |
|
THENCE, in a general Northerly direction, along and with the |
|
centerline of said FM 762 to the intersection of said centerline |
|
with the East line of the City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction (all references to the limits of the City of Rosenberg |
|
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, Northeasterly, Southerly, Easterly, and Northerly, along |
|
and with the East line of said City of Rosenberg Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction and the East corporate limits of the City of Rosenberg |
|
(all references to the corporate limits of the City of Rosenberg are |
|
as of January 1, 2013) to the intersection of said East corporate |
|
limits with the South line of the City of Sugar Land |
|
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references to the limits of the |
|
City of Sugarland Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are as of January |
|
1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, in a general Easterly direction, along and with the South |
|
line of said City of Sugar Land Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to |
|
the intersection of said South line with the West line of the City |
|
of Missouri City Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references to |
|
the limits of the City of Missouri City Extraterritorial |
|
Jurisdiction are as of January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, in a general Southerly direction, along and with the West |
|
line of said City of Missouri City Extraterritorial Jurisdiction |
|
and the West corporate limits of the City of Missouri City (all |
|
references to the corporate limits of the City of Missouri City are |
|
as of January 1, 2013) to a point for the common West corner of said |
|
City of Missouri City Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and the City of |
|
Alvin Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (all references to the limits |
|
of the City of Alvin Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are as of |
|
January 1, 2013); |
|
THENCE, in a general Southerly direction, along and with the West |
|
line of said City of Alvin Extraterritorial Jurisdiction to a point |
|
in the centerline of Cow Creek just upstream from its confluence |
|
with the Brazos River, same being the North line of said Brazoria |
|
County and the South line of said Fort Bend County; |
|
THENCE, Westerly, Southerly, and Northwesterly along and with the |
|
North line of said Brazoria County and the South line of said Fort |
|
Bend County (said common County line partly being the centerline of |
|
said Cow Creek) to POINT OF BEGINNING. |
|
SECTION 4. (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 governor, one of the required recipients, has |
|
submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on |
|
Environmental Quality. |
|
(c) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed |
|
its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, |
|
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives |
|
within the required time. |
|
(d) The general law relating to consent by political |
|
subdivisions to the creation of districts with conservation, |
|
reclamation, and road powers and the inclusion of land in those |
|
districts has been complied with. |
|
(e) 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 have been |
|
fulfilled and accomplished. |
|
SECTION 5. (a) Section 8878.119, Special District Local |
|
Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, takes effect only if |
|
this Act receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to |
|
each house. |
|
(b) If this Act does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the |
|
members elected to each house, Subchapter C, Chapter 8878, Special |
|
District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is |
|
amended by adding Section 8878.119 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 8878.119. NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. The district may |
|
not exercise the power of eminent domain. |
|
(c) This section is not intended to be an expression of a |
|
legislative interpretation of the requirements of Section 17(c), |
|
Article I, Texas Constitution. |
|
SECTION 6. Except as provided by Section 5 of this Act: |
|
(1) 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; and |
|
(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
|
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |