The Texas Senate’s Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) will be holding workgroup meetings over the summer. The following two IGR workgroups will be meeting at the end of June, look for reports on the meetings in upcoming HillCo Client Advisories.
Municipal Utility District (MUD) Workgroup Meeting
Topic: Discussion to include any suggested charges to the MUD template used during the 81st Session and oversight of MUDs by political subdivisions.
Charge 2: Monitor the proliferation of municipal utility districts (MUDs) outside the corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of municipalities and whether increased oversight of these districts by other political subdivisions is needed. Review the process for the creation of municipal utility districts (MUDs) through the template developed during the 81st Legislative Session, including any changes needed to increase the efficiency and oversight over the creation of proposed districts. Review the process for creating special districts, including whether the creation of a template, similar to the one created for municipal utility districts (MUDs), is feasible and would enable the legislature to more effectively evaluate other proposed special districts during future Sessions.
Municipal Management District (MMD) Workgroup Meeting
Topic: Discussion of the authority granted to MMDs and the process for the creation of MMDs, including the possibility of standardizing language used in special law bills. Please note that although interim charge # 8 includes PIDs and ESDs, a discussion of these special districts will not take place at this meeting.
Charge 8: Review the statutory authority granted to municipal management districts (MMDs) and to emergency service districts (ESDs), the authority of municipalities and counties to create public improvement districts (PIDs). Determine whether the authority granted for each entity is adequate to accomplish the goals of local governments. Assess whether the consolidation of ESDs under one statute would improve uniformity and provision of fire and emergency services through these districts.