Texas House Bill HB1680

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/27/09
• Voted on by House: 4/28/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/25/09

Caption

Relating to an application filed with a county commissioners court to revise a subdivision plat.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1680 would have a notable impact on the way subdivision applications are handled at the county level. By permitting the imposition of fees associated with processing applications, the bill provides counties with a mechanism to recuperate costs from applicants. This could incentivize local governments to expedite their processing efforts or to allocate additional resources towards managing applications more effectively. With the application fees, counties will have a newfound revenue stream that can enhance their operational capabilities concerning land development applications.

Summary

House Bill 1680 aims to amend the Local Government Code, specifically Section 232.041, regarding the process for filing applications with county commissioners courts to revise subdivision plats. The bill introduces an additional provision allowing commissioners courts to impose fees for processing these applications. The fees would be calculated based on the associated costs, including the expenses related to required notifications for the applications. This change intends to streamline the application process and ensure that costs incurred by the local government are covered.

Contention

While the bill seeks to simplify the application process and address cost recovery for counties, concerns may arise regarding the potential burden on applicants. Imposing fees could deter individuals or smaller developers from initiating applications, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. There may also be debates about what constitutes a reasonable fee, potentially leading to discrepancies in fee structures across different counties. Stakeholders may advocate for clarity and fairness in the fee-setting process to ensure that all applicants have equitable access to the revision process of subdivision plats.