Bill
HB 4347
85(R) - 2017
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
Special Districts
Vote Recommendation
No
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Negative
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Negative
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Neutral
Author(s)
John Wray
Sponsor(s)
Brian Birdwell
Bill Caption
Relating to the creation of the Midlothian Municipal Management District No. 3; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
HB 4347 would create the Midlothian Municipal Management District No. 3 to conduct improvement projects. The district would have the authority of a water and road district as well as the authority to impose taxes and issue bonds. The district would not have authority for eminent domain and procedures are included for the district’s dissolution.
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 support our liberty principles.
Creating this new management district grows the size, scope, and cost of government for the purpose of fulfilling functions outside of its proper role. For this reason, we oppose HB 4347.