By: Raymond, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 2275
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 1, 2009;
April 27, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
International Relations and Trade; May 8, 2009, reported
adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following
vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 8, 2009, sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2275 By: Davis
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 near the international border and in economically
distressed counties should be reviewed to ensure that statutory
provisions are consistent and clearly achieve the goals of
promoting uniform subdivision standards in those counties and
enhancing the quality of living for the residents of those
subdivisions.
SECTION 2. (a) The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision
Regulation is composed of 23 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) six members who are members of organizations that
represent the interests of colonia residents, appointed by the
executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(3) 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;
(4) one member who is a representative of the Texas
Water Development Board and is appointed by the executive
administrator of the board;
(5) one member who has legal expertise in subdivision
regulation appointed by the attorney general to represent the
interests of the state;
(6) one member who has expertise in matters affecting
colonias appointed by the secretary of state to represent the
interests of the state;
(7) three members who are appointed by the president
of the Texas Association of Builders to represent the interests of
builders and land developers;
(8) one member who is a representative of the Texas
Conference of Urban Counties appointed by the executive director of
that organization; and
(9) one member who is a representative of the County
Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas appointed by the
president of that association.
(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 attorney general shall provide administrative
support to the task force, including necessary staff and meeting
facilities.
(f) The task force, through the attorney general, 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.
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