Bill

HB 4303

85(R) - 2017
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
Special Districts

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

DeWayne Burns

Sponsor(s)

Brian Birdwell

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the Prairie Ridge Municipal Management District No. 1 and to the correction of defined terms in the law governing the Joshua Farms Municipal Management District No. 1 and the law governing the Joshua Farms Municipal Management District No. 2; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 4303 would create the Prairie Ridge Municipal Management District No. 1, granting it certain powers to implement and finance improvement projects and services. This includes the authority to issue bonds and other obligations, and to impose assessments, fees, and taxes. The district may not exercise the power of eminent domain if it does not receive a two-thirds vote from all members of each house. Compliance standards and other requirements would be instituted, and the district would be eligible for inclusion in tax increment reinvestment zones.  

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 4303 would give this new management district authority allowing it 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. Developing "tourism, recreation, the arts, entertainment, economic development" is a role of the private sector and not the government. 

For these reasons, we oppose HB 4303.