Texas House Bill HB2370

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to municipal standards for private roads or streets in a subdivision.

Impact

The introduction of HB 2370 reflects a significant shift toward more straightforward local regulations concerning private street construction. By mandating that municipal standards cannot exceed those for public roads, the bill is expected to mitigate the financial burden on developers and homeowners by reducing regulatory costs. This could lead to increased development in suburban areas where private roads are common, as developers may find it more appealing to construct homes with private access roads without worrying about excessive local requirements.

Summary

House Bill 2370 addresses municipal standards regarding the construction of private roads or streets in subdivisions. The legislation stipulates that municipalities are prohibited from imposing higher construction standards for these private roads than they impose on themselves for similar types of roads intended for comparable traffic volumes. This aims to ensure consistency and equality in municipal regulations across various types of roadway construction within Texas subdivisions.

Contention

While HB 2370 seeks to streamline regulations, it may also be met with pushback from local governments that believe it undermines their authority to establish their own construction standards based on local needs and traffic considerations. Concerns may arise about the quality and safety of private roads that are constructed under the same standards as public roads, particularly in areas with different traffic patterns or development types. As municipalities are often best positioned to understand the specific needs of their communities, opponents of the bill may argue that this legislation could lead to a decrease in road safety and development quality.