By: Raymond, Guillen, Flynn, Shelton, H.B. No. 2275
Martinez
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a task force to develop uniform standards for
subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties near the
international border and in economically distressed counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current law
regarding the regulation of subdivisions in the unincorporated
areas of counties contains numerous conflicts and is unnecessarily
complex, particularly regarding the regulation of development in
counties near the international border and in economically
distressed counties, and that uniform subdivision standards in
those counties serve an important purpose in promoting a high
standard of living for the citizens of Texas.
SECTION 2. (a) The Task Force on Uniform County
Subdivision Regulation is composed of 15 members appointed as
follows:
(1) six members who are county officials or employees
responsible for regulating subdivisions under Subchapter B,
Chapter 232, Local Government Code, appointed by the executive
administrator of the Texas Water Development Board from each of the
following counties:
(A) El Paso;
(B) Webb;
(C) Starr;
(D) Hidalgo;
(E) Cameron; and
(F) Nueces;
(2) three members who are county officials or
employees responsible for regulating subdivisions under Subchapter
C, Chapter 232, Local Government Code, appointed by the executive
administrator of the Texas Water Development Board;
(3) three members appointed by the governor to
represent private interests in land development;
(4) one member of the Texas Water Development Board
appointed by the governor or a person designated by that member;
(5) one member who has legal expertise in subdivision
regulation appointed by the attorney general to represent the
interests of the state; and
(6) one member who has legal expertise in matters
affecting land development appointed by the secretary of state to
represent the interests of the state.
(b) The members of the Task Force on Uniform County
Subdivision Regulation appointed under Subsection (a) of this
section shall elect a presiding officer, a secretary, and any other
officers the board considers necessary.
(c) Appointments to the Task Force on Uniform County
Subdivision Regulation shall be made without regard to race, color,
disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the
appointees.
(d) A member of the task force who is a state or county
employee is not entitled to additional compensation for serving on
the task force, but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's
actual and necessary expenses in attending meetings of the task
force and performing other official duties authorized by the
presiding officer if the reimbursement is otherwise available to
the member as a state or county employee.
(e) The secretary of state shall provide administrative
support to the task force, including necessary staff and meeting
facilities.
(f) The task force, through the secretary of state, may
accept gifts and grants from individuals, private or public
organizations, or federal or local funds to support the task force.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
SECTION 3. The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision
Regulation shall:
(1) research and identify the conflicts and
deficiencies in current law regarding the regulation of the
development of subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties
near the international border and in economically distressed
counties; and
(2) develop recommendations and draft a proposal for
legislation to create uniform standards for the regulation of the
development of subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties
near the international border and in economically distressed
counties.
SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2010, the Task Force
on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation shall submit its findings,
recommendations, and proposal for legislation to the standing
committees of the senate and house of representatives having
primary jurisdiction over border regions or county affairs.
SECTION 5. The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision
Regulation is abolished and this Act expires on September 2, 2011.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.