H.B. 1968 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1968
By: Uresti
County Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 
Currently, some counties within Texas do not charge a fee to the owner of
a tract of land to be reviewed for subdivision, and the cost of reviewing
the plat is absorbed by the county.  House Bill 1968 authorizes the
commissioners court of a county to charge a application fee for the review
of a plat of land for subdivision.      

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

ANALYSIS
House Bill 1968 amends the Local Government Code by authorizing the
commissioners court of the county to impose an application fee to cover
the cost of the county's review of a subdivision plat and inspection of
street, road, and drainage improvements described by the plat.  The bill
sets forth provisions for when the fee is authorized to vary.  The bill
requires the owner of the tract to pay the fee at the time directed by the
county before the county conducts a review of the plat.  The bill sets
forth provisions for when the fee is subject to refund. 


EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2003.