BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1289

By: Giddings

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the original goal of the Urban Land Bank Demonstration Program Act was to provide a legal process for municipalities to convert abandoned structures, vacant land, and tax-foreclosed properties into improved, privately-held, taxable properties that meet certain public purposes. The parties cite the success of the City of Dallas in converting approximately 1,000 urban lots to taxable properties, producing affordable housing in neighborhoods near downtown, and beginning to revitalize many distressed neighborhoods near the urban core. In order to continue this success, the parties contend that these neighborhoods now need commercial revitalization, which complements stable residential development. H.B. 1289 seeks to address this need by amending the act.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1289 amends the Local Government Code to remove the restriction on an urban land bank's authority to sell property to a developer only for the construction of a grocery store that meets certain requirements and to instead authorize the land bank to acquire and sell to a developer property intended for commercial use. The bill specifies that the sale of such property within the four-year period following the date the land bank acquires the property is for a public purpose.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.