Texas House Bill HB665

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to requirements for annexation of certain commercial or industrial areas by a general-law municipality.

Impact

The implications of HB665 would be far-reaching for local governance in Texas. By requiring majority consent for annexation in commercial or industrial areas, the bill aims to ensure that property owners have a say in whether their area is added to a municipality. This could potentially limit the ability of municipalities to annex areas perceived as profitable without community support, fostering a more collaborative approach to regional development. However, it may also slow down municipal expansion and complicate planning efforts, especially in growing areas where commercial growth is prominent.

Summary

House Bill 665 aims to establish new requirements for the annexation of commercial or industrial areas by general-law municipalities. Specifically, the bill mandates that for a general-law municipality to annex an area where 50 percent or more of the properties are used for commercial or industrial purposes, it must first obtain written consent from the majority of property owners in that area. This change is a significant shift from previous laws that allowed annexations to occur without such consent, affecting how municipalities can expand their boundaries to include commercial regions.

Contention

Discussion around HB665 may be polarized, as supporters argue that the bill protects property rights and ensures that businesses and landowners in industrial regions are not subject to unwanted annexations that could impose new taxes and regulations. Conversely, opponents might contend that the additional requirement for property owner consent could hinder economic development and municipal revenues, effectively stifling local government initiatives aimed at growth and enhancement of services in these areas.