Sec. 57.026. AUTHORIZING DISTRICTS TO OPERATE UNDER THIS CHAPTER. (a) Districts that are organized under the laws of this state for the purpose of reclaiming lands through a system of levees and drainage and that are not governed by the provisions of laws of this state are entitled to and may exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this chapter on districts created under it. They are also entitled to exercise all of the enlarged powers which may be conferred under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution.

(b) Before a district may operate under the provisions of this chapter, the owners of a majority of the acreage of the district must present to the commissioners court of the county in which the district is located a petition requesting that a hearing be ordered to determine whether or not the district may avail itself of the provisions of this chapter.

(c) The commissioners court shall fix a time and place for the hearing, and give notice according to the provisions of Section 57.015 of this code.

(d) At the hearing the commissioners court shall hear evidence for and against the issue presented by the petition. If it finds that the interests of the district would be promoted by granting the petition, it shall enter a judgment in the record, declaring that:

(1) it is in the interest of the district to avail itself of all rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this chapter on district created under it;

(2) the district on behalf of which the petition is filed is entitled to and may exercise all rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this chapter on districts created by it; and

(3) the district may exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges as if it were created under this chapter, and shall proceed as if it were created under this chapter.

(e) The decree of the commissioners court shall not in any way injuriously affect any financial liability of the district.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 110, ch. 58, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1971.