Texas House Bill HB2443

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/11
• Introduced: 3/7/11
• Voted on by House: 5/15/11
• Refer: 3/14/11
• Report Pass: 4/18/11
• Engrossed: 5/15/11
• Refer: 5/16/11

Caption

Relating to the offense of remaining, parking vehicles, or erecting structures on certain state property.

Impact

One of the notable provisions of HB2443 is the establishment of a clear timeframe within which vehicles must not remain parked beyond 24 hours. Additionally, individuals who receive notice regarding prohibited activities have a grace period of eight hours to comply. This change is meant to ensure that state properties are utilized for their intended purpose and to limit the potential for nuisance caused by long-term parking or unauthorized structures.

Summary

House Bill 2443 addresses the offense of remaining, parking, or erecting structures on designated state property, particularly focusing on state highway right-of-ways and rest areas. The bill amends the Transportation Code to outline specific restrictions that apply to the duration of parking and the type of structures that can be temporarily erected in these areas. The intent of the bill is to enhance the management of state property and prevent unauthorized use or occupation that could interfere with state functions or public safety.

Contention

Despite its reasonable intentions, there may be points of contention surrounding the bill. Critics could argue that the regulations imposed by HB2443 may disproportionately impact certain groups, such as individuals experiencing homelessness who may use state rest areas for shelter. Furthermore, the stipulation allowing only nonprofit organizations to use temporary structures for public services might raise concerns about equality of access to state space for all service providers. Debates around balancing enforcement of regulations with compassion for underserved populations are likely to emerge as the bill is discussed in legislative circles.