SRC-AAA H.B. 1280 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1280
By: Oliveira (Lucio)
Intergovernmental Relations
4-28-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

In 1989, state law was amended to prohibit most new utility hookups for a
parcel of land unless the utility first receives a determination
certificate from the city indicating that the parcel complies with
applicable subdivision regulations. The certificate can only be issued by
the city's planning commission or governing body under existing law.
Brownsville, for instance, would like to be able to delegate the making of
such determinations and the issuance of such certificates to one or more
persons. These persons would help determination-certificate applicants by
processing their applications faster than the Planning Commission, which
only meets once every two weeks.  H.B. 1280 grants municipal authorities
responsible for approving plats  the ability to delegate to others the
ability to issue certificates reflecting plat approval compliance, and
speeds up the platting process to help developers save time while
relieving some burden from the Planning Commission, which could be
concentrating on more complex matters. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1280 grants municipal authorities responsible for
approving plats  the ability to delegate to others the ability to issue
certificates reflecting plat approval compliance, and speeds up the
platting process to help developers save time while relieving some burden
from the Planning Commission, which could be concentrating on more complex
matters. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 212.0115, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsection (i), to authorize a municipal authority responsible for
approving plats to delegate its authority with regard to any of the
authority's responsibilities. Provides that a binding decision of persons
under this subsection is appealable to the municipal authority. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.