AI-assisted research summary: The district may create and manage defined areas, build and operate certain roads and related improvements, issue bonds, and levy an ad valorem tax, but some bond issuance needs voter approval and debt is capped at one-fourth of assessed real property value.
Sec. 7967A.0201. DEFINED AREAS. (a) Notwithstanding the limitation on authorization based on acreage under Section 54.801(a), Water Code, the district may establish and administer defined areas as provided by Subchapter J, Chapter 54, Water Code. (b) Under Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, the district may construct, acquire, improve, maintain, or operate in a defined area established under this section: (1) macadamized, graveled, or paved roads; or (2) improvements, including storm drainage, in aid of those roads. (c) The district may issue bonds or other obligations as provided by Chapters 49 and 54, Water Code, to finance the construction, acquisition, improvement, maintenance, or operation of projects under Subsection (b). (d) The district may impose an ad valorem tax on real property in a defined area to pay the principal of or interest on bonds issued under Subsection (c) to finance projects benefiting the defined area. (e) The district may not issue bonds or other obligations secured wholly or partly by ad valorem taxes to finance a project authorized by Subsection (b) unless the issuance is approved by a vote of a two-thirds majority of the voters of the defined area to be benefited by the project as provided by Subchapter J, Chapter 54, Water Code, voting at an election called for that purpose. (f) At the time of issuance, the total principal amount of bonds or other obligations issued or incurred to finance projects authorized by Subsection (b) benefiting a defined area may not exceed one-fourth of the assessed value of the real property in the defined area. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 782 (H.B. 5312), Sec. 1, eff. June 13, 2023.