Bill
HB 347
86(R) - 2019
House Land & Resource Management
Senate State Affairs
House Land & Resource Management
Senate State Affairs
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
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Positive
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Positive
Author(s)
Phil King
Cecil Bell Jr.
Terry Canales
Dan Huberty
Lyle Larson
Co-Author(s)
DeWayne Burns
Cole Hefner
Stan Lambert
Mike Lang
Mayes Middleton
Jarred Patterson
Valoree Swanson
Gary VanDeaver
Sponsor(s)
Brian Birdwell
Co-Sponsor(s)
Donna Campbell
Pat Fallon
Charles Schwertner
Bill Caption
Relating to consent annexation requirements.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
HB 347 would remove the municipal tiers system from current law in the cases of municipal annexation. Municipalities would not be able to force annexations without consent of the residents regardless of the population of the county. This is an expansion of SB 6, which was passed during the special session of the 85th legislature.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Texas Action recommends supporting HB 347 because it promotes our principles of property rights, limited government, and individual liberty. This bill would give all citizens the right to vote on whether they want to be incorporated into a neighboring city, remedying a grave injustice. No citizen should be deprived of their liberty without political representation.
Citizens who prefer fewer services and smaller government live outside of municipalities for a reason. Under current law, the two-tier system treats property owners differently, which is unfair. This bill would restore fairness so that the people's right to vote and protect their property from forced annexation is statewide.
Organizations Supporting
Republican Party of Texas
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Organizations Opposed
City of Corpus Christi
Texas Municipal League
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