SRC-VRA S.B. 991 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 991
78R4761 DRH-FBy: Armbrister
Intergovernmental Relations
4/6/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law authorizes cities to adopt zoning ordinances to control
land and building use. Under the police power granted to cities, a city
may also regulate aesthetics such as landscaping and the types of building
materials or architectural styles that must be used.  As proposed, S.B.
991 prohibits cities from enforcing new zoning ordinances on ongoing
development projects for a period of two years if the ordinance changes
requirements for building materials and landscaping. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 211A, Local Government Code, by adding Section
211.0031, as follows: 

Sec.  211.0031.  ZONING REGULATION AFFECTING APPEARANCE OF BUILDINGS OR
OPEN SPACES.  (a)  Authorizes the governing body of a municipality, as
part of adopting zoning regulations under this chapter, to regulate
certain conditions of appearance for buildings and properties. 

(b)  Provides that a municipal regulation authorized by Subsection (a) is
subject to the restrictions in Chapter 245 and is not exempt from those
restrictions under Section 245.004. 

SECTION 2.(a)  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

  (b)  Makes application of this Act prospective.