By: Raymond, Guillen, Flynn, Shelton, H.B. No. 2275

Martinez

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creating a task force to develop uniform standards for subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties near the international border and in economically distressed counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current law regarding the regulation of subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties contains numerous conflicts and is unnecessarily complex, particularly regarding the regulation of development in counties near the international border and in economically distressed counties, and that uniform subdivision standards in those counties serve an important purpose in promoting a high standard of living for the citizens of Texas.

SECTION 2. (a) The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation is composed of 15 members appointed as follows:

(1) six members who are county officials or employees responsible for regulating subdivisions under Subchapter B, Chapter 232, Local Government Code, appointed by the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board from each of the following counties:

(A) El Paso;

(B) Webb;

(C) Starr;

(D) Hidalgo;

(E) Cameron; and

(F) Nueces;

(2) three members who are county officials or employees responsible for regulating subdivisions under Subchapter C, Chapter 232, Local Government Code, appointed by the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board;

(3) three members appointed by the governor to represent private interests in land development;

(4) one member of the Texas Water Development Board appointed by the governor or a person designated by that member;

(5) one member who has legal expertise in subdivision regulation appointed by the attorney general to represent the interests of the state; and

(6) one member who has legal expertise in matters affecting land development appointed by the secretary of state to represent the interests of the state.

(b) The members of the Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation appointed under Subsection (a) of this section shall elect a presiding officer, a secretary, and any other officers the board considers necessary.

(c) Appointments to the Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation shall be made without regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointees.

(d) A member of the task force who is a state or county employee is not entitled to additional compensation for serving on the task force, but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's actual and necessary expenses in attending meetings of the task force and performing other official duties authorized by the presiding officer if the reimbursement is otherwise available to the member as a state or county employee.

(e) The secretary of state shall provide administrative support to the task force, including necessary staff and meeting facilities.

(f) The task force, through the secretary of state, may accept gifts and grants from individuals, private or public organizations, or federal or local funds to support the task force.

(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

SECTION 3. The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation shall:

(1) research and identify the conflicts and deficiencies in current law regarding the regulation of the development of subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties near the international border and in economically distressed counties; and

(2) develop recommendations and draft a proposal for legislation to create uniform standards for the regulation of the development of subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of counties near the international border and in economically distressed counties.

SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2010, the Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation shall submit its findings, recommendations, and proposal for legislation to the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over border regions or county affairs.

SECTION 5. The Task Force on Uniform County Subdivision Regulation is abolished and this Act expires on September 2, 2011.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.