BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1708 89R15699 SCL-F By: Hinojosa, Adam Local Government 3/28/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Texas law provides exemptions to platting requirements for inter-family land divisions, allowing family members to share land without being classified as developers. However, border counties have applied certain model subdivision rules in the Water Code, which were originally created to prevent colonias, inappropriately labeling certain inter-family land divisions as "commercial development." This has led to unnecessary and excessive permitting, infrastructure requirements, and fees that should not be required for a residential land split between family members. S.B. 1708 would clarify that the model subdivision rules in Section 16.343 of the Water Code do not supersede an exception to platting requirements that may apply within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality. As proposed, S.B. 1708 amends current law relating to the effect of the model subdivision rules on an exception to county platting requirements applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 232.0013, Local Government Code, as follows: Sec. 232.0013. CHAPTER-WIDE PROVISION RELATING TO REGULATION OF PLATS AND SUBDIVISIONS IN EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes. (b) Provides that the model subdivision rules adopted under Section 16.343 (Minimum State Standards and Model Political Subdivision Rules), Water Code, do not supersede an exception to platting requirements under Chapter 232 (County Regulation of Subdivision) applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1708
89R15699 SCL-F By: Hinojosa, Adam
Local Government
3/28/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1708
89R15699 SCL-F
By: Hinojosa, Adam
Local Government
3/28/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas law provides exemptions to platting requirements for inter-family land divisions, allowing family members to share land without being classified as developers. However, border counties have applied certain model subdivision rules in the Water Code, which were originally created to prevent colonias, inappropriately labeling certain inter-family land divisions as "commercial development."
This has led to unnecessary and excessive permitting, infrastructure requirements, and fees that should not be required for a residential land split between family members.
S.B. 1708 would clarify that the model subdivision rules in Section 16.343 of the Water Code do not supersede an exception to platting requirements that may apply within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality.
As proposed, S.B. 1708 amends current law relating to the effect of the model subdivision rules on an exception to county platting requirements applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 232.0013, Local Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 232.0013. CHAPTER-WIDE PROVISION RELATING TO REGULATION OF PLATS AND SUBDIVISIONS IN EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.
(b) Provides that the model subdivision rules adopted under Section 16.343 (Minimum State Standards and Model Political Subdivision Rules), Water Code, do not supersede an exception to platting requirements under Chapter 232 (County Regulation of Subdivision) applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.