BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2675 By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy" Local Government 4/25/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The city of McAllen has experienced significant urban and economic growth in recent years, especially around its convention center district. This area has evolved into a regional hub for tourism and commerce, with the convention center at its core and surrounded by hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center. With increasing visitor traffic and expanding development opportunities, the city is working to enhance infrastructure, add parking capacity, and attract further economic activity in the immediate vicinity of the district. One of the challenges McAllen faces in accommodating this growth is the limited availability of land adjacent to the convention center. Nearby, there is a city-owned park with softball fields located close to the expressway and the convention center grounds. The city intends to relocate the park to another location to make the current land available for further development. However, existing state law in the Local Government Code prohibits the sale or repurposing of municipal park land without first obtaining voter approval through an election. This requirement imposes significant logistical and financial burdens. A standalone election could cost taxpayers over $180,000, as demonstrated by McAllen's recent charter amendment election, and waiting for the next general election limits the city's ability to respond quickly to development opportunities. In fast-growing cities like McAllen, these restrictions can slow down planning and hold up important development projects. S.B. 2675 would allow the City of McAllen to sell or convey public square or park land without holding an election. As proposed, S.B. 2675 amends current law relating to the sale of park land owned by certain municipalities. 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 253.001, Local Government Code. adding Subsection (m), as follows: (m) Provides that Subsection (b) (relating to prohibiting land owned, held, or claimed as a public square or park from being sold unless the issue of the sale is submitted to certain voters) does not apply to a conveyance of park land owned by a municipality that: (1) is located in a county that is adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border, has a population of at least 800,000, and does not include a city that has a population of at least 500,000; and (2) is the largest municipality in a county described by Subdivision (1). SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2675
By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"
Local Government
4/25/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2675
By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"
Local Government
4/25/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The city of McAllen has experienced significant urban and economic growth in recent years, especially around its convention center district. This area has evolved into a regional hub for tourism and commerce, with the convention center at its core and surrounded by hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center. With increasing visitor traffic and expanding development opportunities, the city is working to enhance infrastructure, add parking capacity, and attract further economic activity in the immediate vicinity of the district.
One of the challenges McAllen faces in accommodating this growth is the limited availability of land adjacent to the convention center. Nearby, there is a city-owned park with softball fields located close to the expressway and the convention center grounds. The city intends to relocate the park to another location to make the current land available for further development. However, existing state law in the Local Government Code prohibits the sale or repurposing of municipal park land without first obtaining voter approval through an election. This requirement imposes significant logistical and financial burdens. A standalone election could cost taxpayers over $180,000, as demonstrated by McAllen's recent charter amendment election, and waiting for the next general election limits the city's ability to respond quickly to development opportunities. In fast-growing cities like McAllen, these restrictions can slow down planning and hold up important development projects.
S.B. 2675 would allow the City of McAllen to sell or convey public square or park land without holding an election.
As proposed, S.B. 2675 amends current law relating to the sale of park land owned by certain municipalities.
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 253.001, Local Government Code. adding Subsection (m), as follows:
(m) Provides that Subsection (b) (relating to prohibiting land owned, held, or claimed as a public square or park from being sold unless the issue of the sale is submitted to certain voters) does not apply to a conveyance of park land owned by a municipality that:
(1) is located in a county that is adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border, has a population of at least 800,000, and does not include a city that has a population of at least 500,000; and
(2) is the largest municipality in a county described by Subdivision (1).
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.