Dear Water Users Coalition Members,

AWBD has sent out a second communication (listing important points to make) asking for help regarding proposed legislation that will harm MUD Districts. Please read the following communication and consider contacting the list of State House members on the House Land and Resource Committee and voice your concerns about House Bill 424 and 299.  
 
Best Regards,
Jerry Homan

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If you would like to print out a copy of the AWBD memo please click the following link:
AWBD – HB 424 and HB 299  

Dear AWBD Member,

Last week you received an email from AWBD regarding Representative Dan Huberty’s House Bill 424 and similar bills (such as Representative Lyle Larson’s House Bill 299). Recall, these bills prohibits new SPAs, limited purposes annexations (the mechanism that allows for sales tax sharing), and renewal of existing SPAs that many of our member districts enjoy.  While these measures will not affect your SPA they will prevent your district from extending the term of your SPA and any new district from reaping the same benefits of an SPA that many of you have enjoyed.

Your letters, emails and calls in responses to AWBD’s request were well received. AWBD had a representative at the House Land and Resources Committee hearing last Wednesday to offer testimony supporting AWBD’s position. There was also a great deal of testimony from residents who supported the measures because they want the right to vote on city annexations of outlaying communities.

A committee vote on these measures is expected to be considered as early as Wednesday, April 12, 2017. It is important that, prior to Wednesday, the members of the House Land & Resources Committee are reminded of your opinions regarding strategic purpose agreements and limited purpose annexations. Important points to make are as follows:

• Specifically reference House Bill 424 and House Bill 299;

• Tell them you support the right of residents to vote on whether a city will annex their community;

• Tell them that Strategic Partnership Agreements and limited purpose annexations are voluntary agreements between cities and water districts that have provided many benefits to the residents of the district, including a moratorium on full purpose annexation and a rebate of sales tax proceeds to the district which benefits its residents; and

• Tell them that your support the other provisions of House Bill 424 and House Bill 299 but that any restrictions or impairments to Strategic Partnership Agreements or limited purpose annexations should be deleted from the bills.

Prior to Wednesday’s vote, it is important the members of the House Land and Resources Committee hear from you regarding your opposition to any provision of House Bill 424 and House Bill 299 that prohibit new SPAs, limited purpose annexations, or impair your district’s ability to renew the term of its SPA. Please call or email the following members and voice your concern.

This is a unique opportunity to directly inform members of the Legislature on an important area for improvement. AWBD is dedicated to preserving the benefits of SPAs which have helped many of our members provide high quality facilities and services while continuing to lower tax rates.

House Land & Resource Committee Members are as follows:

The Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair
Email:  abel.herrero@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0462

The Honorable Cecil Bell, Jr.
Email:  cecil.bell@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0650

The Honorable Ernest Bailes
Email:  ernest.bailes@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0570

The Honorable César José Blanco 
Email:  cesar.blanco@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0622

The Honorable Wayne Faircloth 
Email:  wayne.faircloth@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0502

The Honorable Matt Krause 
Email:  Matt.krause@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0562

The Honorable Lynn Stucky 
Email:  lynn.stucky@house.texas.gov 
Phone:  (512) 463-0582