85R5574 SMT-D By: VanDeaver H.B. No. 967 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the powers of the Texamericas Center. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 3503.003(a), Special District Local Laws Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The authority is created to: (1) accept title on approval by, and in coordination with, the governor to all or a portion of the property on, adjacent to, or related to the property described by Section 3503.004 from the United States; (2) promote the location and development of new businesses, industries, and commercial activities on or related to the property; (3) undertake a project the board considers necessary or incidental to the industrial, commercial, or business development, redevelopment, maintenance, and expansion of new or existing businesses on and for the property described by Section 3503.004, including the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, replacement, improvement, extension, expansion, or enhancement of: (A) roads, bridges, and rights-of-way; (B) housing; (C) property; (D) police, fire, medical, cultural, educational, and research services, equipment, institutions, and resources; (E) other community support services; (F) flood control, water, wastewater treatment, natural gas, electricity, solid waste disposal, steam generation, communications, and all other utility facilities and services; (G) other infrastructure improvements; and (H) any other services or facilities acquired by the authority from the United States; (4) promote or support an active military base located in the same county as the authority to prevent closure or realignment of the base and attract new military missions to the base; [and] (5) exercise the powers granted to a conservation and reclamation district under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; and (6) promote regional economic development and job creation inside and outside of the district's boundaries. SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 3503, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 3503.112 to read as follows: Sec. 3503.112. NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS. (a) The authority may authorize by resolution the creation of a nonprofit corporation under the Business Organizations Code solely to undertake on behalf of the authority a project described by Section 3503.003(a)(3). (b) The board shall appoint the board of directors of each nonprofit corporation created under this section. A board member is not required to reside in the authority. (c) A board member or employee of the authority may simultaneously serve as a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit corporation. A person serving as a board member of the authority and of a nonprofit corporation created by the authority may participate in all votes relating to the business of the authority or the corporation, regardless of any statutory prohibition. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.