All Roll Calls
Yes: 14 • No: 0
TexasSB 304889th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relating to the creation of the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.
Sponsored By: Brian Birdwell (Republican), Angelia Orr
Became Law
BLUEBONNET HILLS MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1MIDLOTHIAN, CITY OFSpecial Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
District cannot take property by force
Beginning September 1, 2025, the district cannot use eminent domain to take private property. This protects owners from forced property transfers by this district.
District property taxes need voter approval
District property taxes require voter approval; an operations and maintenance tax needs a majority vote and cannot exceed the approved rate. Voter-approved property-tax-backed bonds require an annual repayment tax while any bond debt remains, with no rate or amount limit. Before the first such bonds, each city containing district land within its limits or surrounding jurisdiction must consent. That consent covers the district’s creation and included land. The law also exempts the district from Local Government Code Section 375.243; the supplied text does not explain that rule.
Property assessments require an owner petition
The district can charge property assessments for authorized purposes. Assessment-funded services or improvements first require a written petition requesting that specific service or project. Signers must own more than half the assessable property value, based on the latest certified county appraisal roll. Owners are personally liable for assessments, penalties, interest, collection costs, and reasonable attorney fees. These charges create a property lien behind county, school district, and city property-tax liens, but ahead of other liens.
Owners can petition to dissolve district
The board must dissolve the district after a qualifying written petition, subject to debt and service-transfer safeguards. Signers must represent at least two-thirds of assessable property value or qualifying land area, excluding specified public and exempt land. The board can also dissolve the district by majority vote. Bond debt must first be repaid or legally set aside for repayment, and contractual payment obligations must be fully paid. Another party must contract to take over any district-owned, operated, or maintained public works before dissolution.
District can support local business growth
The district can support local business activity through loans, grants, staff, and services. These programs must further the district’s economic development purposes. District land is also eligible for tax increment or tax abatement reinvestment zones. Eligibility alone does not create a zone or guarantee lower taxes. The law sets no program funding amount or individual eligibility rules.
Added services without replacing city services
The district can fund and run water, sewer, drainage, road, recreation, and other authorized improvements using available money. It can hire public or private partners, including paid law enforcement providers. It can also build or run public parking lots and garages, including through private operators; parking fees are not set. Midlothian cannot cut its existing service level just because the district exists. District services must add to city services, not replace them.
New local district for Bluebonnet Hills
The law creates Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District No. 1 in Midlothian, covering 242.375 acres in Ellis County. Five elected directors serve staggered four-year terms. The initial directors’ terms end June 1, 2027, for three positions and June 1, 2029, for two. Directors may receive up to $150 per meeting, capped at $7,200 each year, plus necessary and reasonable work expenses.
District boundary changes have debt safeguards
The district can add or remove land through the listed Water Code procedures, changing which properties fall under district authority. A separate process allows division into new districts only with no outstanding bond debt and no property tax being imposed. New districts must stay within the territory described in the law. Each needs voter approval before imposing a maintenance tax or issuing property-tax-backed bonds.
District borrowing can fund local improvements
The district can borrow and issue bonds or notes for authorized purposes. Repayment can use taxes, assessments, impact fees, revenue, contract payments, grants, or other district money. Bonds backed by non-property-tax revenue or contract payments can be issued without an election. Contract-payment bonds must satisfy Water Code Section 49.108. Before issuing assessment-backed debt for an improvement, a city or retail utility provider must agree to receive, operate, or maintain it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brian Birdwell
Republican • Senate
Angelia Orr
House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Intergovernmental Affairs
Yes: 9 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Local Government
Yes: 5 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
See remarks for effective date
6/20/2025HouseFiled without the Governor's signature
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateReported enrolled
5/29/2025SenateHouse passage reported
5/29/2025SenateNonrecord vote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3832)
5/28/2025HousePassed
5/28/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/28/2025HouseNonrecord vote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
5/28/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/28/2025HousePlaced on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar
5/28/2025HouseConsidered in Local & Consent Calendars
5/27/2025HouseComm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
5/25/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
5/23/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
5/23/2025HouseReported favorably w/o amendment(s)
5/21/2025HouseRecommended to be sent to Local & Consent
5/21/2025HouseConsidered in formal meeting
5/21/2025HouseReferred to Intergovernmental Affairs
5/16/2025HouseRead first time
5/16/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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