Sec. 292.022. FACILITIES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES WITH POPULATIONS OVER 110,000. (a) This section applies only to a county with a population of more than 110,000.

(b) The commissioners court of a county may acquire land for a branch county office building, may purchase, construct, repair, equip, or improve the building, and may acquire the building through a lease or lease with an option to purchase, at a location in a municipality that:

(1) has a population of 10,000 or more;

(2) is not the county seat; and

(3) is not contiguous to the county seat.

(c) The commissioners court may issue bonds or certificates of indebtedness and may levy and collect taxes to implement this section. Bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued under this section are negotiable instruments and may be paid from the permanent improvement fund of the county.

(d) Bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued under this section must:

(1) be authorized by order of the commissioners court;

(2) be signed by the county judge, attested by the county clerk, and registered by the county treasurer;

(3) mature in 40 years or less;

(4) bear interest at a rate not to exceed the interest rate prescribed by Chapter 1204, Government Code; and

(5) have attached coupons evidencing the interest.

(e) Bonds under this section must be issued in compliance with Subtitles A and C, Title 9, Government Code.

(f) The commissioners court shall submit bonds and certificates issued under this section and records relating to their issuance to the attorney general. If the attorney general approves the bonds or certificates as issued in accordance with state law, the comptroller of public accounts shall register them. On approval, registration, and delivery to the purchaser, the bonds or certificates are incontestable.

(g) This section does not permit the establishment of a branch office away from the county seat if this establishment is forbidden by other law.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1409, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 8.306, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.