Bill Caption

Relating to the appointment of a receivership for and disposition of certain platted lots that are abandoned, unoccupied, and undeveloped in certain counties.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1564 would allow a commissioner's court to implement an expedited process to administratively determine that a platted lot is abandoned, unoccupied, and undeveloped for purposes of returning roughly 50,000 of acres of currently unusable and presumed abandoned land to the market. A receiver of the land is permitted to sell the land by public auction, sealed bid, or sealed proposal but must publish notices for the proposed sale.

HB 1564 requires a public hearing before making an abandoned determination and outlines the rules of such a hearing.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral as HB 1564 does not impact our liberty principles. This is a unique local issue and HB 1564 appears to have sufficient private property rights protections for landowners if the plot is not abandoned.