By Greenberg                                           H.B. No. 775
         76R2934 DRH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the regulation of subdivisions by certain counties.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Chapter 232, Local Government Code, is amended by
 1-5     adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
 1-6                SUBCHAPTER D.  OPTIONAL SUBDIVISION PLATTING
 1-7                      REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
 1-8           Sec. 232.101.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies only
 1-9     in a county:
1-10                 (1)  with a population of 500,000 or more or in a
1-11     county adjacent to a county in this state with a population of
1-12     500,000 or more; and
1-13                 (2)  in which Subchapters B and C do not apply.
1-14           Sec. 232.102.  ADOPTION BY COMMISSIONERS COURT.  The
1-15     commissioners court by order may adopt Subchapter C for the
1-16     subdivision of land in the county, including the use of the model
1-17     rules adopted under Section 16.343, Water Code, except that:
1-18                 (1)  venue for an action to recover a civil penalty is
1-19     only in a district court in the county in which the defendant
1-20     resides or in a district court in the county in which the violation
1-21     occurs;
1-22                 (2)  the attorney general does not have the power of
1-23     enforcement in the county as provided by Section 232.080;
1-24                 (3)  the operation of a county under this subchapter
 2-1     does not affect the county's eligibility for financial assistance
 2-2     under Subchapter K, Chapter 17, Water Code; and
 2-3                 (4)  other than the model rules adopted under Section
 2-4     16.343, Water Code, Subchapter J, Chapter 16, Water Code, does not
 2-5     apply in the county.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-11     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-12     passage, and it is so enacted.