BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         H.B. 645
                                              By: Brimer (Harris)
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                          4-27-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Municipalities receive several minor plat revisions every year
which do not adversely affect the owners of other lots in the
subdivision.  In many situations, these replats involve creating
larger lots and thereby reducing the number of lots in the
subdivision.  Chapter 212, Local Government Code, requires a public
hearing and approval by the municipal planning commission or city
council.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 645 amends provisions relating to municipal
approval of certain amending plats.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 212.0065, Local Government Code, as
follows:

     Sec. 212.0065.  DELEGATION OF APPROVAL RESPONSIBILITY.  (a) 
     Authorizes a municipality to delegate to an employee of the
     municipality the ability to approve amending plats described
     by Section 212.016 or certain minor plats.  Makes a conforming
     change.
     
     (b) and (c)  Created from existing text.
       
       SECTION 2.   Amends Section 212.016(a), Local Government Code, to
authorize the municipal authority responsible for approving plats
to approve and issue an amending plat if the amending plat is
signed by the applicants only and is solely, among other purposes,
to replat one or more lots fronting on an existing street, if the
owners of all the lots join in the application for amending the
plat; and the amendment does not attempt to remove recorded
covenants or restrictions, does not increase the number of lots,
and does not create or require a new street or the extension of
municipal facilities.

SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.  Provides
that, for purposes of this section, an amending plat is submitted
for approval if the person has applied for approval under Section
212.008, Local Government Code.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.