Management District Notification - HB 2018

House Bill 2018 by State Rep. Shawn Thierry amends the Local Government Code to require management districts to provide notice to jurisdictions where management district territory is located when the district makes changes to its boundaries by its own motion.

Under current law, no notice is required and it is difficult for jurisdictions to keep up with changes to the boundaries without notice.

Management districts have the authority to change their boundaries without consent of the jurisdiction in which it is located. There is no current requirement that management districts inform municipalities about dis-annexations it makes on its own motion. The municipality is only able to keep accurate records if it is aware of the change.

Unfortunately, the City of Houston and other municipalities only learn of these changes when there is a discrepancy in the boundaries that arise due to an unrelated matter. The City of Houston Planning Department identified this issue and worked with interested parties and Rep. Thierry to suggest a change in state law that will benefit both the management district and the municipality by easing record maintenance.

Some cities, including Houston, regulate platting and land development both in the city and the ETJ. Houston has a large extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and there are multiple municipal management districts located within both. The accuracy of these records is essential in planning and development for the entire region. HB 2018 will allow cities and management districts to work together in order keep timely and accurate records.

Both private and public entities rely on the accuracy of records and maps, especially when it concerns overlapping jurisdictions. The accuracy of records plays a key role with overlapping entities when making decisions on things like emergency services, economic development projects, transportation or joint funded projects.

House Bill 2018 passed the House and Senate on Local Calendars and was sent to the Governor to sign May 26, 2019.