BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1676

By: Hinojosa

Border & Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To limit the establishment of colonias, or housing developments in unincorporated areas, current law authorizes a county to use certain restrictions to limit subdivision plats in certain unincorporated areas. 

S.B. 1676 authorizes a commissioners court to charge a fee for a certificate issued for the connection of utilities for a subdivision located in the county near an international border and not within the limits of a municipality.

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

S.B. 1676 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to impose a fee for a certificate issued for the connection of utilities in a county within 50 miles of the international border, for a subdivision which is located in the county and not within the limits of a municipality.  The bill authorizes the amount of the fee to be the greater of $30 or the amount of the fee imposed by the municipality for a subdivision that is located entirely in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the municipality for a certificate issued regarding compliance with municipal plat requirements.  The bill specifies that a person who obtains a certificate for the connection of utilities in a county within 50 miles of the international border is not required to obtain a certificate issued regarding compliance with municipal plat requirements. 

S.B. 1676 makes conforming changes under a provision relating to certification regarding compliance with county plat requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.