Rep. Ron Reynolds released the following statement today regarding his county bills that were unanimously passed through the Texas House:

AUSTIN, TX, MAY 4, 2017 - "Today the House considered and unanimously voted out five of my county bills. Now each of these bills head over to the Senate for consideration. Particularly, these bills directly relate and affect Fort Bend County. I look forward to the continued progression of these bills towards their final passage. The descriptions of each of the bills are detailed below.

HB 1716 relates to territory of county assistance districts. Currently, the annexation rules in certain counties are too restrictive with respect to county assistance districts. H.B. 1716 seeks to provide such districts with greater flexibility regarding their territorial composition.

HB 1815 relates to the power of counties to enact park use rules. This bill will ensure the enforcement of regulations and imposition of fines in county parks will discourage vandalism and other dangerous activities taking place in such parks. H.B. 1815 seeks to address this issue by expanding the applicability of certain provisions relating to the enforcement of park use rules.

HB 2182 relates to the authority of a county assistance district to impose a sales and use tax. Confusion regarding what constitutes the territory of a proposed county assistance district or the area proposed to be added to such a district or in the district's territory for purposes of determining the combined tax rate of all local sales and use taxes in relation to an election to create a district or the imposition of a sales and use tax by a district. H.B. 2182 seeks to provide clarity by excluding rights-of-way and certain areas from that territory for those purposes.

HB 2938 relates to the Sienna Plantation Levee Improvement District of Fort Bend County, Texas. The Sienna Plantation Levee Improvement District of Fort Bend County, Texas, intends to expand its existing park system, but concerns have been raised that there are too many constraints on the district's ability to fund this expansion by issuing bonds. H.B. 2938 seeks to remove these constraints.

If you are a constituent of HD 27 and have any further questions or concerns, I urge you to contact my office for clarity. I work for you!"

State Representative Ron Reynolds (HD 27)

Ron Reynolds represents Texas House District 27, which encompasses communities of Fort Bend County. Representative Reynolds currently serves on the Elections Committee, and is the ranking member on the Environmental Regulations Committee.