84R6853 ATP-F
 
  By: Keffer H.B. No. 2595
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of municipal initiative and referendum to
  restrict property rights.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Local Government Code,
  is amended by adding Section 51.080 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.080.  INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM TO RESTRICT PROPERTY
  RIGHTS PROHIBITED. (a) This section does not apply to a petition
  or election to which Chapter 501, Election Code, applies.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any municipal charter provision, a
  municipality may not:
               (1)  accept for verification, certification, or other
  approval a petition requesting the enactment or repeal of an
  ordinance or charter provision, if the proposed enactment or repeal
  would restrict the right of any person to use or access the person's
  private property for economic gain; or
               (2)  hold an election proposed by a petition on the
  proposed enactment or repeal of an ordinance or charter provision
  described by Subdivision (1).
         (c)  The purported enactment or repeal of an ordinance or
  charter provision prohibited by Subsection (b) has no effect. An
  election held in violation of Subsection (b) is void.
         (d)  A person whose rights are affected by a violation of
  this section may sue for injunctive relief to enforce this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 51.080, Local Government Code, as added
  by this Act, applies only to a petition submitted on or after the
  effective date of this Act. A petition submitted before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
  petition was submitted, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.