Bill Text: TX SB635 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to the terms and qualifications of the members of the port commission of, and the powers, duties, and territory of, the Port of Harlingen Authority; authorizing the imposition of a tax.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-15 - Effective immediately [SB635 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB635-Comm_Sub.html

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By: Lucio S.B. No. 635
(Lucio III)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the terms and qualifications of the members of the port
commission of, and the powers, duties, and territory of, the Port of
Harlingen Authority; authorizing the imposition of a tax.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 5013, Special District Local Laws Code,
is amended by designating Sections 5013.001 and 5013.002 as
Subchapter A and adding a subchapter heading to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 2. Section 5013.001, Special District Local Laws
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5013.001. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this chapter:
(1) "Authority"[, "authority"] means the Port of
Harlingen Authority.
(2) "Port commission" means the governing body of the
authority.
(3) "Port commissioner" means a member of the port
commission.
(4) "Treasurer" means the treasurer of the authority.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 5013, Special District
Local Laws Code, as added by this Act, is amended by adding Section
5013.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 5013.0025. AUTHORITY TERRITORY. The authority is
composed of the original territory of the district, as it may have
been amended by Subchapter H, Chapter 62, Water Code, or other law,
except the territory does not include any portion of Willacy
County.
SECTION 4. Chapter 5013, Special District Local Laws Code,
is amended by adding Subchapter B, and a heading is added to that
subchapter to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. PORT COMMISSION
SECTION 5. Section 5013.003, Special District Local Laws
Code, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 5013, Special
District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as
Section 5013.051, and amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5013.051 [5013.003]. GOVERNING BODY. (a) The
navigation and canal commission of the authority is called the port
commission and is composed of five port commissioners.
(b) The port commissioners shall be elected by the voters of
the district at large to positions numbered one through five.
(c) Port commissioners serve staggered four-year terms,
with port commissioners elected in odd-numbered years.
SECTION 6. Chapter 5013, Special District Local Laws Code,
is amended by adding Subchapters C and D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 5013.101. TREASURER. (a) The port commission:
(1) shall hire or appoint a treasurer; and
(2) may terminate or suspend the employment or
appointment of the treasurer.
(b) The treasurer has the power and duties of a treasurer
under Chapters 60 and 62, Water Code.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 62.152, Water Code, the
treasurer shall pay all authority expenses from authority funds.
Sec. 5013.102. SALES AND LEASES. (a) Except as provided by
this section, the provisions of Subchapter C, Chapter 60, Water
Code, apply to all sales and leases entered into by the authority.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 60.039, Water Code, the
authority may enter into a surface lease for a period of not more
than 99 years.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 60.040, Water Code, the
authority is not required to publish notice for a sale, easement, or
lease for a period of not more than 99 years.
(d) Sections 60.041 and 60.042, Water Code, do not apply to
a bid on real property to be sold by the authority.
SUBCHAPTER D. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 5013.151. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX; TAX RATE.
(a) The authority may impose an ad valorem tax at a rate not to
exceed 10 cents on each $100 valuation of all taxable property in
the authority for the maintenance, operation, and upkeep of the
authority and the improvements constructed by the authority.
(b) The authority may change the rate or suspend collection
of the tax authorized by this section in the manner provided by law
for official action by the authority, subject to the limitation
prescribed by Subsection (a).
(c) Section 62.160, Water Code, does not apply to the
authority.
Sec. 5013.152. SELECTION OF DEPOSITORY. (a) Except as
provided by this section, the authority shall select a depository
for the authority in the manner provided by Section 60.271, Water
Code.
(b) The authority shall select a depository in a manner to
ensure that authority funds are fully insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Share
Insurance Fund.
(c) The authority may select more than one institution to
serve as a depository in order to comply with the requirement under
Subsection (b).
SECTION 7. (a) In this section, "authority," "port
commission," and "port commissioner" have the meanings assigned by
Section 5013.001, Special District Local Laws Code, as amended by
this Act.
(b) A port commissioner of the authority who is serving on
the day before the effective date of this Act shall serve until a
successor qualifies following an election under Subsection (c) of
this section.
(c) On the uniform election date in November 2021, the port
commission shall hold an election to elect two port commissioners,
numbered four and five.
(d) The three port commissioners serving on the effective
date of this Act shall draw lots to assign port commissioner numbers
one through three and determine which two port commissioners shall
serve a term expiring December 1, 2023, and which port commissioner
shall serve a term expiring December 1, 2025.
(e) On the uniform election date in November 2023, the port
commission shall hold an election to elect two port commissioners
to terms of four years.
(f) On the uniform election date in 2025, the port
commission shall hold an election to elect three port commissioners
to terms of four years.
SECTION 8. (a) The legal notice of the intention to
introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313,
Government Code.
(b) The governor, one of the required recipients, has
submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(c) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed
its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, the
lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives within the required time.
(d) All requirements of the constitution and laws of this
state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect
to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled
and accomplished.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.