Bill: SB 692, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

Senate Intergovernmental Relations

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

José Rodríguez

Bill Caption

Relating to regulation by certain counties of lots in platted subdivisions that have remained undeveloped.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 692 is a local bill that would allow the commissioners court of a county (with a population of more than 800,000 that is adjacent to an international border) to implement a process to apply more current infrastructure requirements if 50 percent or more of the land in a subdivision remains undeveloped and has been platted for 25 years.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This is a local bill dealing with the issue of colonias which are located near the US-Mexico border. These developments sprang up many years ago and have grown over time without the normal infrastructure that is customary and expected in residential communities. This has led to attempts, using public funds wherever they can be found, to address health and safety issues that are unique to the colonias. This legislation attempts to prevent the expansion of colonias by allowing the land they would expand into to be subject to infrastructure requirements. Ordinarily we would oppose legislation that places restrictions on development of private property, however we see a legitimate public interest in checking the expansion of colonias because the public ends up paying for them in the long run anyway. Because of the unique, local, and ongoing nature of this issue which is being addressed, we will remain neutral.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Conference of Urban Counties
Texas Low Income Housing Information Service

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 06:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/sb692?print_view=true