CS/CS/HB 1155 - Special Districts Summary

• Revises the Uniform Special District Accountability Act to apply to both independent and dependent special districts and establishes separate oversight procedures for each type.

• Requires newly created special districts to identify their status (independent or dependent) in their charters, and authorizes existing districts to amend charters to include this designation.

• Modifies budget posting requirements so special districts must post tentative budgets at least 2 days before budget hearings and keep final budgets on websites for 2 years; eliminates requirement to transmit budgets to local governments when districts lack websites.

• Transfers and renumbers oversight provisions for special districts created by special act (as section 189.0651) and local ordinance (as section 189.0652), and creates new section 189.0653 specifying information districts must provide before public hearings on noncompliance.

• Requires all special districts to maintain official websites by October 1, 2015 with specified information including governance details, charter text, budget, audit reports, and meeting schedules; takes effect October 1, 2015.