SRC-AXB S.B. 1896 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1896
76R6764  PAM-FBy: Jackson
Intergovernmental Relations
5/3/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, a county is allowed to sell its surplus real property by
contracting for a realtor's services, but regulations are unclear about the
ability to avoid the competitive bid statute through taking such action as
an alternative to a public auction.  Selling surplus property through the
action process is sometimes inefficient in comparison with a simple realtor
contract sale.  S.B. 1896 allows the commissioners court of a county to
contract with realtors to sell real property and avoid the required auction
process for selling real property.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1896 allows the commissioners court of a county to
contract with realtors to sell real property and avoid the required auction
process for selling real property. 

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 263.008, Local Government Code, to define
"realtor," and authorize the commissioners court of a county to contract
and pay a fee with a realtor, rather than a person licensed under The Real
Estate License Act.  Authorizes the commissioners court to sell a tract of
real property to a buyer produced by a realtor using the multiple-listing
service.  Authorizes the commissioners court to sell a tract of real
property without complying with certain prescribed requirements.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 272.001(a), Local Government Code, to add an
exception provided by Section 263.008, Government Code. 

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