HB 5683

relating to the creation of the Cedar Springs Improvement District;
providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws
Code, is amended by adding Chapter 4018 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 4018.  CEDAR SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 4018.0101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Board" means the district's board of directors.
(2)  "City" means the City of Dallas.
(3)  "County" means Dallas County.
(4)  "Director" means a board member.
(5)  "District" means the Cedar Springs Improvement
Sec. 4018.0102.  NATURE OF DISTRICT.  The Cedar Springs
Improvement District is a special district created under Section
59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Sec. 4018.0103.  PURPOSE; DECLARATION OF INTENT.  (a)  The
creation of the district is essential to accomplish the purposes of
Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI,
Texas Constitution, and other public purposes stated in this
(b)  By creating the district and in authorizing the county,
the city, and other political subdivisions to contract with the
district, the legislature has established a program to accomplish
the public purposes set out in Section 52-a, Article III, Texas
(c)  The creation of the district is necessary to promote,
develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce,
transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts,
entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public
(d)  This chapter and the creation of the district may not be
interpreted to relieve the county or the city from providing the
level of services provided as of the effective date of the Act
enacting this chapter to the area in the district.  The district is
created to supplement and not to supplant county or city services
Sec. 4018.0104.  FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE.
(a)  All land and other property included in the district will
benefit from the improvements and services to be provided by the
district under powers conferred by Sections 52 and 52-a, Article
III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and other
powers granted under this chapter.
(b)  The district is created to serve a public use and
(c)  The creation of the district is in the public interest
and is essential to further the public purposes of:
(1)  developing and diversifying the economy of the
(2)  eliminating unemployment and underemployment; and
(3)  developing or expanding transportation and
(1)  promote the health, safety, and general welfare of
residents, employers, potential employees, employees, visitors,
and consumers in the district, and of the public;
(2)  provide needed funding for the district to
preserve, maintain, and enhance the economic health and vitality of
the district territory as a community and business center;
(3)  promote the health, safety, welfare, and enjoyment
of the public by providing pedestrian ways and by landscaping and
developing certain areas in the district, which are necessary for
the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty;
(4)  provide for road and recreational facilities for
(e)  Pedestrian ways along or across a street, whether at
grade or above or below the surface, and street lighting, street
landscaping, parking, and street art objects are parts of and
necessary components of a street and are considered to be a street
(f)  The district will not act as the agent or
instrumentality of any private interest even though the district
will benefit many private interests as well as the public.
Sec. 4018.0105.  INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY.  (a)  The
district is initially composed of the territory described by
Section 2 of the Act enacting this chapter.
(b)  The boundaries contained in Section 2 of the Act
enacting this chapter form a closure.  A mistake in the boundaries
does not affect the district's:
(1)  organization, existence, or validity;
(2)  right to issue any type of bonds for the purposes
for which the district is created or to pay the principal of and
(3)  right to impose or collect an assessment or tax; or
Sec. 4018.0106.  ELIGIBILITY FOR INCLUSION IN SPECIAL ZONES.
All or any part of the area of the district is eligible to be
(1)  a tax increment reinvestment zone created under
(2)  a tax abatement reinvestment zone created under
Sec. 4018.0107.  APPLICABILITY OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT
DISTRICTS LAW.  Except as otherwise provided by this chapter,
Chapter 375, Local Government Code, applies to the district.
Sec. 4018.0108.  CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER.  This chapter
shall be liberally construed in conformity with the findings and
purposes stated in this chapter.
SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 4018.0201.  GOVERNING BODY; TERMS. (a) The district is
governed by a board of seven elected directors who serve staggered
(b)  Directors are elected in the manner provided by
Subchapter D, Chapter 49, Water Code.
Sec. 4018.0202.  COMPENSATION; EXPENSES.  (a)  A director is
entitled to receive fees of office and reimbursement for actual
expenses as provided by Section 49.060, Water Code.
(b)  Sections 375.069 and 375.070, Local Government Code, do
Sec. 4018.0203.  INITIAL DIRECTORS.  (a) The initial board
consists of the following directors:
Pos. No.
                     
                     Name of Director
1
                     
                     Lupe Valdez
2
                     
                     Mikey Nguyen
3
                     
                     David Drake
4
                     
                     Adam Murphy
5
                     
                     Tony Vedda
6
                     
                     Martha Tiller
7
                     
                     Randle Langdon
(b)  Of the initial directors, the terms of directors
appointed for positions one through four expire June 1, 2027, and
the terms of directors appointed for positions five through seven
SUBCHAPTER C.  POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 4018.0301.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The
district has the powers and duties necessary to accomplish the
purposes for which the district is created.
(b)  The district may not provide retail water or sewer
service in an area receiving retail water or sewer service from
another water or sewer service provider.
Sec. 4018.0302.  IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND SERVICES.  (a) The
district, using any money available to the district for the
purpose, may provide, design, construct, acquire, improve,
relocate, operate, maintain, or finance an improvement project or
service authorized under this chapter or Chapter 375, Local
(b)  The district may contract with a governmental or private
entity to carry out an action under Subsection (a).
(c)  The implementation of a district project or service is a
governmental function or service for the purposes of Chapter 791,
Sec. 4018.0303.  LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.  To protect the
public interest, the district may contract with a qualified party,
including the county or the city, to provide law enforcement
services in the district for a fee.
Sec. 4018.0304.  MEMBERSHIP IN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.
The district may join and pay dues to a charitable or nonprofit
organization that performs a service or provides an activity
consistent with the furtherance of a district purpose.
Sec. 4018.0305.  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.  (a)  The
district may engage in activities that accomplish the economic
development purposes of the district.
(b)  The district may establish and provide for the
administration of one or more programs to promote state or local
economic development and to stimulate business and commercial
activity in the district, including programs to:
(1)  make loans and grants of public money; and
(2)  provide district personnel and services.
(c)  The district may create economic development programs
and exercise the economic development powers provided to
(1)  Chapter 380, Local Government Code; and
(2)  Subchapter A, Chapter 1509, Government Code.
Sec. 4018.0306.  PARKING FACILITIES.  (a)  The district may
acquire, lease as lessor or lessee, construct, develop, own,
operate, and maintain parking facilities or a system of parking
facilities, including lots, garages, parking terminals, or other
structures or accommodations for parking motor vehicles off the
streets and related appurtenances.
(b)  The district's parking facilities serve the public
purposes of the district and are owned, used, and held for a public
purpose even if leased or operated by a private entity for a term of
(c)  The district's parking facilities are parts of and
necessary components of a street and are considered to be a street
(d)  The development and operation of the district's parking
facilities may be considered an economic development program.
Sec. 4018.0307.  DISBURSEMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF MONEY.  The
board by resolution shall establish the number of directors'
signatures and the procedure required for a disbursement or
Sec. 4018.0308.  ADDING OR EXCLUDING LAND.  The district may
add or exclude land in the manner provided by Subchapter J, Chapter
49, Water Code, or by Subchapter H, Chapter 54, Water Code.
Sec. 4018.0309.  NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER.  The district may
not exercise the power of eminent domain.
Sec. 4018.0401.  PETITION REQUIRED FOR FINANCING SERVICES
AND IMPROVEMENTS WITH ASSESSMENTS.  (a)  The board may not finance a
service or improvement project with assessments under this chapter
unless a written petition requesting that service or improvement
(b)  A petition filed under Subsection (a) must be signed by
the owners of a majority of the assessed value of real property in
the district subject to assessment according to the most recent
certified tax appraisal roll for the county.
Sec. 4018.0402.  ASSESSMENTS; LIENS FOR ASSESSMENTS.  (a)
The board by resolution may impose and collect an assessment for any
purpose authorized by this chapter in all or any part of the
(b)  An assessment, a reassessment, or an assessment
resulting from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll
by the district, penalties and interest on an assessment or
reassessment, an expense of collection, and reasonable attorney's
(1)  are a first and prior lien against the property
(2)  are superior to any other lien or claim other than
a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem
(3)  are the personal liability of and a charge against
the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
(c)  The lien is effective from the date of the board's
resolution imposing the assessment until the date the assessment is
paid.  The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the
board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
(d)  The board may make a correction to or deletion from the
assessment roll that does not increase the amount of assessment of
any parcel of land without providing notice and holding a hearing in
the manner required for additional assessments.
Sec. 4018.0501.  TAX ELECTION REQUIRED.  (a)  The district
must hold an election in the manner provided by Chapter 49, Water
Code, or, if applicable, Chapter 375, Local Government Code, to
obtain voter approval before the district may impose an ad valorem
(b)  Section 375.243, Local Government Code, does not apply
Sec. 4018.0502.  OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE TAX.  (a)  If
authorized by a majority of the district voters voting at an
election under Section 4018.0501, the district may impose an
operation and maintenance tax on taxable property in the district
in the manner provided by Section 49.107, Water Code, for any
district purpose, including to:
(1)  maintain and operate the district;
(2)  construct or acquire improvements; or
(b)  The board shall determine the operation and maintenance
tax rate.  The rate may not exceed the rate approved at the
Sec. 4018.0503.  AUTHORITY TO BORROW MONEY AND TO ISSUE
BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  (a)  The district may borrow money on
(b)  The district may issue bonds, notes, or other
obligations payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes,
assessments, impact fees, revenue, contract payments, grants, or
other district money, or any combination of those sources of money,
to pay for any authorized district purpose.
Sec. 4018.0504.  BONDS SECURED BY REVENUE OR CONTRACT
PAYMENTS.  The district may issue, without an election, bonds
(1)  revenue other than ad valorem taxes, including
(2)  contract payments, provided that the requirements
of Section 49.108, Water Code, have been met.
Sec. 4018.0505.  BONDS SECURED BY AD VALOREM TAXES;
ELECTIONS.  (a)  If authorized at an election under Section
4018.0501, the district may issue bonds payable from ad valorem
(b)  At the time the district issues bonds payable wholly or
partly from ad valorem taxes, the board shall provide for the annual
imposition of a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax, without
limit as to rate or amount, for each year that all or part of the
bonds are outstanding as required and in the manner provided by
Sections 54.601 and 54.602, Water Code.
(c)  All or any part of any facilities or improvements that
may be acquired by a district by the issuance of its bonds may be
submitted as a single proposition or as several propositions to be
Sec. 4018.0506.  CONSENT OF MUNICIPALITY REQUIRED.  (a)  The
board may not issue bonds until each municipality in whose
corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction the district is
located has consented by ordinance or resolution to the creation of
the district and to the inclusion of land in the district as
(b)  This section applies only to the district's first
issuance of bonds payable from ad valorem taxes.
Sec. 4018.0901.  DISSOLUTION.  (a)  The board shall dissolve
the district on written petition filed with the board by the owners
(1)  at least two-thirds of the assessed value of the
property subject to assessment by the district based on the most
recent certified county property tax rolls; or
(2)  at least two-thirds of the surface area of the
district, excluding roads, streets, highways, utility
rights-of-way, other public areas, and other property exempt from
assessment by the district according to the most recent certified
(b)  The board by majority vote may dissolve the district at
(c)  The district may not be dissolved by its board under
Subsection (a) or (b) if the district:
(1)  has any outstanding bonded indebtedness until that
bonded indebtedness has been repaid or defeased in accordance with
the order or resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds;
(2)  has a contractual obligation to pay money until
that obligation has been fully paid in accordance with the
(3)  owns, operates, or maintains public works,
facilities, or improvements unless the district contracts with
another person for the ownership, operation, or maintenance of the
public works, facilities, or improvements.
(d)  Sections 375.261, 375.262, and 375.264, Local
Government Code, do not apply to the district.
SECTION 2.  The Cedar Springs Improvement District initially
includes all territory contained in the following area:
In Dallas County, Texas, the territory enclosed by Lemmon
Avenue as the northeast boundary, Oak Lawn Avenue as the southeast
boundary, Maple Avenue as the southwest boundary, and Inwood Road
SECTION 3.  (a)  The legal notice of the intention to
introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313,
(b)  The governor, one of the required recipients, has
submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on
(c)  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed
its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
(d)  All requirements of the constitution and laws of this
state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect
to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have been
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.