BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 By: Burkett Urban Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While the governing body of a home-rule municipality may contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that is owned by the municipality, interested parties explain that it is unclear whether such municipalities holding real property in trust for other taxing entities can use brokers in the sale of that real property. The parties contend that the lack of clarity in current law restricts a municipality's ability to dispose of nuisance or foreclosed properties the municipality is holding in trust and adds an additional burden on municipal staff. H.B. 3244 seeks to clarify this issue. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the governing body of a home-rule municipality to contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that the municipality holds in trust and has the authority to sell. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015. BILL ANALYSIS # BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 By: Burkett Urban Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) H.B. 3244 By: Burkett Urban Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While the governing body of a home-rule municipality may contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that is owned by the municipality, interested parties explain that it is unclear whether such municipalities holding real property in trust for other taxing entities can use brokers in the sale of that real property. The parties contend that the lack of clarity in current law restricts a municipality's ability to dispose of nuisance or foreclosed properties the municipality is holding in trust and adds an additional burden on municipal staff. H.B. 3244 seeks to clarify this issue. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the governing body of a home-rule municipality to contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that the municipality holds in trust and has the authority to sell. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While the governing body of a home-rule municipality may contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that is owned by the municipality, interested parties explain that it is unclear whether such municipalities holding real property in trust for other taxing entities can use brokers in the sale of that real property. The parties contend that the lack of clarity in current law restricts a municipality's ability to dispose of nuisance or foreclosed properties the municipality is holding in trust and adds an additional burden on municipal staff. H.B. 3244 seeks to clarify this issue. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the governing body of a home-rule municipality to contract with a broker to sell a tract of real property that the municipality holds in trust and has the authority to sell. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.