S.B. No. 304

AN ACT

relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 29.003, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance may provide that the court has:

(1) civil jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing municipal ordinances enacted under Subchapter A, Chapter 214, Local Government Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 683, Transportation Code;

(2) concurrent jurisdiction with a district court or a county court at law under Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Local Government Code, within the municipality's territorial limits and property owned by the municipality located in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances; and

(3) authority to issue:

(A) search warrants for the purpose of investigating a health and safety or nuisance abatement ordinance violation; and

(B) seizure warrants for the purpose of securing, removing, or demolishing the offending property and removing the debris from the premises.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 304 passed the Senate on April 10, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 304 passed the House on May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 115, Nays 19, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor