SRC-AXB H.B. 3234 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 3234
By: Najera (Zaffirini)
Border Affairs - Special
5/6/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, houses in some colonias are constructed so close to an existing
road that widening the road to meet platting requirements is impractical.
Law designed to prevent the proliferation of colonias prohibits electricity
and other utilities from being provided to colonias that are unplatted.
H.B. 3234 encourages individuals to build homes on land with water service
by allowing certain utilities to be provided to a unplatted colonia which
meets certain requirements, including preexisting water service. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3234 allows certain utilities to be provided to an
unplatted colonia which meets certain requirements, including preexisting
water service. 

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 212.012, Local Government Code, by amending
Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (f), to authorize an entity
described by Subsection (b) to take certain actions, if the municipal
authority responsible for approving plats issues a certificate relating to
subdivisions and water.  Authorizes a service requestor to obtain a
certificate by providing a certain affidavit regarding property ownership.
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 232.029, Local Government Code, by amending
Subsections (c)-(e) and adding Subsection (f), to authorize certain actions
if subdivided land was sold or conveyed before September 1, 1995, rather
than July 1, 1995, if the land was improved by certain actions that began
before May 1, 1997, or if the land was not subdivided with certain water
service provisions after September 1, 1995.  Changes the dates by which
certain property transfer actions can be documented from July 1, 1995, to
September 1, 1995.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 212.012(c)(5)(A), Local Government Code, to increase the
distance water service is available from the land from 500 to 750 feet. 

SECTION 2.

 Amends 232.029(c)(2)(A), Local Government Code, to make a conforming
change.