Bill Caption

Relating to municipal annexation of certain rights-of-way.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1241 would allow a municipality that is annexing an area or property to also annex the right-of-way of a street, highway, alley, or other public way or of a railway line, spur, or roadbed, so long as it's contiguous and parallel to the area being annexed. The bill would require notice be given to the owner of the right-of-way to be annexed and allow the owner to object in writing to the proposed annexation. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 1241 would undermine annexation reforms which property owners in Texas have fought long and hard to achieve. Annexed rights-of-way would be subject to increased property taxes and municipal regulations which would infringe on property rights. Also, this type of annexation would rapidly increase the size of the annexing municipality's ETJ and extend the amount of highway which a municipality could patrol and derive revenue from through enforcement actions. We strongly oppose HB 1241.