BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 250 89R3656 SCL-F By: Flores Local Government 4/25/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law does not expressly allow a municipality to annex an area within its extraterritorial jurisdiction if the area is separated by a railroad. In certain areas of Texas, a railroad may create an artificial boundary that precludes the annexation of land into the municipality, even if the owner of the land is in favor of the annexation. The purpose of H.B. 2956 is to authorize a municipality that is annexing an area to also annex an additional area adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property under certain conditions. Bill Provisions: Allows a municipality to annex an additional area adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property that was contiguous and ran parallel to its boundaries and is contiguous to the initial area being annexed under certain annexing provisions (landowner request, petition, or election). Provides that an area adjacent or contiguous to the initial area being annexed is to be considered adjacent and contiguous to the annexing municipality. Certain width requirements for annexation do not apply to the additional area being annexed under the bill. As proposed, S.B. 250 amends current law relating to municipal annexation of an area adjacent to contiguous or connecting railroad rights-of-way. 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 Subchapter E, Chapter 43, Local Government Code, by adding Section 43.1057, as follows: Sec. 43.1057. ANNEXATION OF AREA ADJACENT TO CONTIGUOUS OR CONNECTING RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY. (a) Authorizes a municipality that is annexing an area under certain subchapters of Chapter 43 (Municipal Annexation), notwithstanding any other law, to also annex with the initial area an additional area if the area is adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property that is contiguous and runs parallel to the municipality's boundaries and contiguous to the area being annexed under certain subchapters of Chapter 43 and each owner of the area agrees to the annexation by the municipality. (b) Provides that, for purposes of Subsection (a) or other law with a municipal boundary contiguous requirement, including a municipal charter or ordinance, an area adjacent or contiguous to the initial area being annexed under Subsection (a) is considered adjacent and contiguous to the annexing municipality. (c) Provides that Section 43.054 (Width Requirements) does not apply to the annexation under this section of the additional area described by Subsection (a). SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 250
89R3656 SCL-F By: Flores
Local Government
4/25/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 250
89R3656 SCL-F
By: Flores
Local Government
4/25/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law does not expressly allow a municipality to annex an area within its extraterritorial jurisdiction if the area is separated by a railroad. In certain areas of Texas, a railroad may create an artificial boundary that precludes the annexation of land into the municipality, even if the owner of the land is in favor of the annexation.
The purpose of H.B. 2956 is to authorize a municipality that is annexing an area to also annex an additional area adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property under certain conditions.
Bill Provisions:
Allows a municipality to annex an additional area adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property that was contiguous and ran parallel to its boundaries and is contiguous to the initial area being annexed under certain annexing provisions (landowner request, petition, or election).
Provides that an area adjacent or contiguous to the initial area being annexed is to be considered adjacent and contiguous to the annexing municipality. Certain width requirements for annexation do not apply to the additional area being annexed under the bill.
As proposed, S.B. 250 amends current law relating to municipal annexation of an area adjacent to contiguous or connecting railroad rights-of-way.
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 Subchapter E, Chapter 43, Local Government Code, by adding Section 43.1057, as follows:
Sec. 43.1057. ANNEXATION OF AREA ADJACENT TO CONTIGUOUS OR CONNECTING RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY. (a) Authorizes a municipality that is annexing an area under certain subchapters of Chapter 43 (Municipal Annexation), notwithstanding any other law, to also annex with the initial area an additional area if the area is adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway line, spur, or other railroad property that is contiguous and runs parallel to the municipality's boundaries and contiguous to the area being annexed under certain subchapters of Chapter 43 and each owner of the area agrees to the annexation by the municipality.
(b) Provides that, for purposes of Subsection (a) or other law with a municipal boundary contiguous requirement, including a municipal charter or ordinance, an area adjacent or contiguous to the initial area being annexed under Subsection (a) is considered adjacent and contiguous to the annexing municipality.
(c) Provides that Section 43.054 (Width Requirements) does not apply to the annexation under this section of the additional area described by Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.