Texas Senate Bill SB1713

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 2/27/25

Caption

Relating to the authority of a county to dispose of surplus and salvage property to a civic or charitable organization.

Impact

If enacted, SB1713 would significantly impact how local governments manage surplus property by allowing a more straightforward approach for donating such assets. This could reduce the burden of disposal costs on counties that might otherwise have to invest in the bidding process without yielding satisfactory results. Proponents of the bill view this as a means to enhance public service by ensuring that surplus properties are utilized effectively and beneficially rather than left to go to waste. Additionally, it creates a framework for counties to engage with local charitable organizations in a more meaningful way.

Summary

Senate Bill 1713 (SB1713) proposes to amend the Local Government Code to grant counties the authority to dispose of surplus and salvage property by donating it to civic or charitable organizations located within the county. This bill aims to streamline the disposal process for properties that are unlikely to sell at competitive bids or auctions, effectively allowing counties to forgo the typical bidding processes when they deem that donations would serve a public purpose. By expanding counties' powers, the bill seeks to promote community welfare through charitable donations of public resources.

Contention

However, potential points of contention regarding SB1713 might arise concerning the criteria for determining what qualifies as a 'public purpose' for the donation of properties. Some stakeholders may question whether this could lead to potential mismanagement or favoritism in the donation process. Furthermore, there may be concerns surrounding adequate oversight to ensure that the donating process benefits the community without leading to conflicts of interest or an uneven distribution of resources among civic organizations. These issues could lead to debates on the balance between efficient property disposal and safeguarding public interests.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Local Government Code

• Chapter 263. Sale Or Lease Of Property By Counties
  • Section: 152