| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Relating to a petition by residents of certain counties for an
election regarding voter approval of municipal annexation.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
For the purposes of municipal annexation in Texas, counties are divided based on population into tier 1 and tier 2 counties. Residents of unincorporated area in a tier 2 county subject to annexation by a municipality are entitled to the benefit of having an election to determine whether or not to agree to the annexation.
HB 1038 would allow residents of tier 1 counties (counties with a population below 500,000) to petition for an election to determine whether the county should be considered a tier 2 county.
Any pending annexation in a county which successfully petitions for an election to become a tier 2 county would be suspended pending the outcome of the election. If a majority of voters approve the proposition, the county would be considered a tier 2 county.
We support HB 1038 which is in alignment with limited government and would help protect the property rights and individual liberty of tier 1 county residents who wish to fight municipal annexation.