MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

1:00 p.m.

Mickey Leland/Barbara Jordan School of Public Affairs

Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Texas Southern University, Mickey Leland/Barbara Jordan School of Public Affairs, Houston, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Dan Patrick Senator Jeff Wentworth		Senator Robert Nichols

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair laid out interim committee 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.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge #2.  See attached witness list. 

 

At 1:38 p.m., a quorum was established. 

 

Senator Patrick moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 23, 2010.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 2:37 p.m., Senator Wentworth assumed the Chair. 

 

At 2:40 p.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out interim committee charge # 4, assess ways to facilitate property ownership registration to better enable individuals to participate in federal programs and make recommendations to improve processing times to provide improved access to funds.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge #4.  See attached witness list. 

 

The Chair laid out interim committee 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.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge #8.  See attached witness list. 

 

The Chair called persons who registered as public witnesses on interim committee charges #2, #4 and #8.  See attached witness list. 

 

At 5:10 p.m., Senator West moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk