BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law permits municipalities to exempt all or a portion of drainage fees for properties owned by tax-exempt religious organizations and cemeteries that are closed to new interments. For some municipalities outlined by law, certain additional properties are exempted from drainage fees, including those owned by a county, school district, or housing authority. Amid the growing concern of affordability for many of our communities, some residents who have a fixed income or face other hardships and extenuating circumstances may benefit from being exempted from all or part of municipal drainage fees.

H.B. 349 seeks to give municipalities another method to address affordability concerns by permitting full or partial drainage fee exemptions for senior citizens, active duty military members, veterans, and people with disabilities.

H.B. 349 amends current law relating to the exemption of certain property from municipal drainage service charges.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.053, Local Government Code, by adding Subsections (d-2) and (d-3), as follows:

(d-2) Authorizes a municipality to exempt property from all or a portion of drainage charges under Section 552.047 (Drainage Charges) if the property is used as the principal residence of an individual who is:

(1) disabled as defined by Section 11.13(m) (relating to the definition of "disabled"), Tax Code;

(2) 65 years of age or older;

(3) a veteran of the armed services of the United States; or

(4) a member of the armed services of the United States on active deployment.

(d-3) Authorizes the municipality to impose additional eligibility requirements for an exemption authorized under Subsection (d-2).

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.