SB444 - Relating to a requirement that certain special purpose districts cause certain information to be posted on an Internet website.

  89R2787 JBD-D     By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 444       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a requirement that certain special purpose districts   cause certain information to be posted on an Internet website.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 2051.202, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsections (b-1)   and (e) to read as follows:          (a)  In this section, "special purpose district" has the   meaning assigned by Section 403.0241 [ means a political subdivision   of this state with geographic boundaries that define the   subdivision's territorial jurisdiction.   The term does not include   a municipality, county, junior college district, independent   school district, groundwater conservation district, river   authority, or political subdivision with statewide jurisdiction ].          (b)  This section applies only to a special purpose district   described by Section 403.0241(b) [ that:                [ (1)     is authorized by the state by a general or special   law to impose an ad valorem tax;                [ (2)     during the most recent fiscal year imposed an ad   valorem tax;                [ (3)  during the most recent fiscal year:                      [ (A)  had bonds outstanding;                      [ (B)     had gross receipts from operations, loans,   taxes, or contributions in excess of $250,000; or                      [ (C)     had cash and temporary investments in excess   of $250,000; and                [ (4)     at the beginning of the most recent fiscal year,   had a population of 500 or more, as determined by the governing body   of the special purpose district ].           (b-1)     This section does not apply to a groundwater   conservation district or a river authority.          (d)  A special purpose district shall post or cause to be   posted on an Internet website the following information, if   applicable:                (1)  the name of the special purpose district;                (2)  the name and term of office of each member of the   governing body of the special purpose district;                (3)  the contact information for the main office of the   special purpose district, including the physical address, the   mailing address, and the telephone number;                (4)  the official contact information for each member   of the governing body of the special purpose district;                (5)  if the special purpose district employs a person   as a general manager or executive director, or in another position   to perform duties or functions comparable to those of a general   manager or executive director, the name of the general manager,   executive director, or person that performs those duties;                (6)  if the special purpose district contracts with a   utility operator, the contact information for a person representing   the utility operator, including a mailing address and telephone   number;                (7)  if the special purpose district contracts with a   tax assessor-collector, the contact information for a person   representing the tax assessor-collector, including a mailing   address and telephone number;                (8)  if the special purpose district imposes an ad   valorem tax, the rate of the ad valorem tax of the special purpose   district;                (9)  if the special purpose district imposes a sales   and use tax, the rate of the sales and use tax of the special purpose   district;                (10)  any notice of tax hearing required to be given   under Chapter 26, Tax Code, or Section 49.236, Water Code;                (11)  the location and schedule of meetings of the   governing body of the special purpose district;                (12)  a statement substantially similar to the   following: "Residents of the district have the right to request the   designation of a meeting location within the district under Section   49.062(g), Water Code. A description of this process can be found at   (insert link to the Internet website described by Section   49.062(g), Water Code).";                (13)  each notice of a meeting of the governing body of   the special purpose district under Subchapter C, Chapter 551, for   meetings conducted in the current calendar year and the immediately   preceding calendar year;                (14)  the minutes of a public meeting of the governing   body of the special purpose district under Section 551.021 for   meetings conducted in the current calendar year and the immediately   preceding calendar year; [ and ]                (15)  the most recent financial audit of the special   purpose district ; and                 (16)     if the special purpose district has elected   officers:                       (A)     the date and location of the next election   for each office; and                       (B)     the requirements and deadline for filing for   candidacy for each office .           (e)     A special purpose district must post the information   required by Subsection (d)(16)(B) continuously for at least one   year before the date of the election for the office.          SECTION 2.  Section 2051.201(c), Government Code, is   repealed.          SECTION 3.  Section 2051.202(e), Government Code, as added   by this Act, applies only to an office the election for which takes   place after January 1, 2027.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.