Texas House Bill HB1879

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to establishing actual progress for the purpose of determining the right to repurchase real property from a condemning entity.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1879 would affect the Property Code of Texas, particularly in procedures involving condemnation and the rights of property owners to reclaim their property. The changes introduced by the bill would give property owners a better understanding of the specific criteria that need to be met to qualify for repurchase after a property has been condemned. By requiring demonstrable progress on associated public projects, the bill seeks to ensure that property owners are not left in limbo regarding their rights while public entities may hold their properties.

Summary

House Bill 1879 aims to establish a clearer definition of 'actual progress' in the context of determining a property owner's right to repurchase property that has been acquired by condemnation. The bill specifies that actual progress is defined by the completion of three or more significant actions related to the development of property for the same public use project from which the owner's property was taken. This includes actions such as performing labor, providing materials, hiring professionals for planning, and applying for necessary permits or funding.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding how the criteria for 'actual progress' are defined and enforced. Critics could raise concerns that these stipulations might delay projects or complicate the condemnation process, potentially causing conflicts between developers and property owners. Moreover, expressing the need for clear definitions and thresholds of progress might lead to differing interpretations that could affect timely development and the rights of the affected parties.