Bill

HB 2332

85(R) - 2017
House Special Purpose Districts
House Special Purpose Districts
Brazoria County
Special Districts

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Ed Thompson

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the Brazoria County Management District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 2332 would create the Brazoria County Management District No. 1, granting it certain powers to implement and finance recreational facilities and road projects through certain bonds or taxes. The district may also authorize the creation of nonprofit corporations, law enforcement services, parking facilities, and other economic development projects. This district will have no eminent domain power.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would create a new special purpose district "to promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts, entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public welfare in the district." The district would be a part of a broader class of special districts known as Municipal Management Districts (MMD). This bill would grant municipal-type authority to a non-municipal entity, essentially creating a city within a city that lacks true accountability, which does not bode well towards supporting our liberty principles.

This district would have the authority to issue bonds, impose taxes, and annex land. Creating this new management district grows the size, scope, and cost of government. For these reasons we oppose HB 2332.