Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the Liberty County Drainage District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees or taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1820 would create Liberty County Drainage District. This bill would establish a board of directors, grant the authority to issue bonds, and provide requirements for the district to be in compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 1820 would create a new government entity with the ability to take on debt, assess fees or taxes, and have limited power of eminent domain. We are always cautious about the creation of new entities such as this which by their nature are an expansion of government. As described by the Texas State Historical Association, "Drainage districts, which may be established upon a two-thirds vote of qualified resident property-tax payers in the proposed districts, are organized for the construction of canals, drains, ditches, and levees." 

This is a local issue and the property-tax payers who would be affected by it would have to vote at a super-majority level to authorize the creation of a drainage district. For these reasons we remain neutral.