GALVESTON COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code ch. 8131

in effect

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.001. DEFINITIONS.

In this chapter: (1) "Board" means the board of directors of the district. (2) "Director" means a member of the board. (3) "District" means the Galveston County Municipal Utility District No. 53. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.002. NATURE OF DISTRICT.

The district is a municipal utility district in Galveston County created under and essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 52 , Article III, and Section 59 , Article XVI, Texas Constitution. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.003. CONFIRMATION ELECTION REQUIRED.

If the creation of the district is not confirmed at a confirmation election held under Section 8131.023 before September 1, 2009: (1) the district is dissolved September 1, 2009, except that: (A) any debts incurred shall be paid; (B) any assets that remain after the payment of debts shall be transferred to Galveston County; and (C) the organization of the district shall be maintained until all debts are paid and remaining assets are transferred; and (2) this chapter expires September 1, 2010. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.004. INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY.

(a) The district is initially composed of the territory described by Section 2 of the Act creating this chapter. (b) The boundaries and field notes contained in Section 2 of the Act creating this chapter form a closure. A mistake made in the field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process does not affect: (1) the organization, existence, or validity of the district; (2) the right of the district to impose taxes; (3) the validity of the district's bonds, notes, or indebtedness; or (4) the legality or operation of the district or the board. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.005. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW.

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, Chapters 49 and 54 , Water Code, apply to the district. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.051. DIRECTORS; TERMS.

(a) The district is governed by a board of five directors. (b) Directors serve staggered four-year terms that expire June 1 of even-numbered years. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.052. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

On the uniform election date in May of each even-numbered year, the appropriate number of directors shall be elected. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.101. GENERAL POWERS.

The district has all of the rights, powers, privileges, authority, functions, and duties provided by the general law of this state, including Chapters 49 and 54 , Water Code, applicable to municipal utility districts created under Section 59 , Article XVI, Texas Constitution. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.102. ROAD PROJECTS.

(a) To the extent authorized by Section 52 , Article III, Texas Constitution, the district may construct, acquire, improve, maintain, or operate macadamized, graveled, or paved roads or turnpikes, or improvements in aid of those roads or turnpikes, inside the district. (b) A road project must meet all applicable construction standards, zoning and subdivision requirements, and regulatory ordinances of the municipality or county in whose jurisdiction the district is located. (c) The district may not undertake a road project unless each municipality or county in whose jurisdiction the district is located consents by ordinance or resolution. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.103. LIMITATION ON USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN.

The district may exercise the power of eminent domain outside the district only to acquire an easement necessary for a pipeline that serves the district. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.104. COMPLIANCE WITH MUNICIPAL CONSENT ORDINANCES OR RESOLUTIONS.

Subject to the limitations of Section 54.016 , Water Code, the district shall comply with all applicable requirements of any ordinance or resolution adopted by the city council of the City of Texas City, including an ordinance or resolution adopted before September 1, 2005, that consents to the creation of the district or to the inclusion of lands within the district. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.151. TAX TO REPAY BONDS.

The district may impose a tax to pay the principal of or interest on bonds issued under Section 8131.201 . Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.152. UTILITY PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM IMPACT FEES AND ASSESSMENTS.

The district may not impose an impact fee or assessment on the property, including the equipment, rights-of-way, facilities, or improvements, of: (1) an electric utility or a power generation company as defined by Section 31.002 , Utilities Code; (2) a gas utility as defined by Section 101.003 or 121.001 , Utilities Code; (3) a telecommunications provider as defined by Section 51.002 , Utilities Code; or (4) a person who provides to the public cable television or advanced telecommunications services. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. SUBCHAPTER E. BONDS

Tex. SPEC. DIST. LOCAL LAWS Code § 8131.201. AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.

(a) The district may issue bonds or other obligations as provided by Chapters 49 and 54 , Water Code, to finance the construction, maintenance, or operation of projects under Sections 8131.101 and 8131.102 . (b) The district may not issue bonds to finance projects authorized by Section 8131.102 unless the issuance is approved by a vote of a two-thirds majority of the voters of the district voting at an election called for that purpose. (c) Bonds or other obligations issued or incurred to finance projects authorized by Section 8131.102 may not exceed one-fourth of the assessed value of the real property in the district. (d) Sections 49.181 and 49.182 , Water Code, do not apply to a project undertaken by a district under Section 8131.102 or to bonds issued by the district to finance the project. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 457 (S.B. 1865 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026