BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1381

By: Hernandez

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Local authorities have raised concerns about the planning and zoning review process, which requires multiple public hearings in front of the planning and zoning commission. This lengthy process is inefficient, costly to taxpayers, exacerbates the backlog of applications, and delays the development or rehabilitation of properties. H.B. 1381 seeks to improve the planning and zoning review process by providing cities the option to host only one public hearing.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1381 amends the Local Government Code to clarify that the number of public hearings a zoning commission is required to hold on a preliminary zoning report made by the commission before submitting a final report to the applicable governing body is at least one. The bill applies only to a proposal to change a municipal zoning classification made on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.