BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1572
86R9346 MP-D	By: Alvarado
	Intergovernmental Relations
	3/21/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, a municipality located in a county with a population of two million or more may adopt an ordinance requiring owners of vacant buildings to register their building with a designated municipal official. This leaves counties with a population of less than two million struggling to find a way to deal with their vacant buildings. A vacant and open building poses a threat to any community as it endangers life, health, property, or safety. These dangerous buildings left vacant may also attract vagrants and criminals, or curious children who might be harmed by the many hazards found within the property. Cities seek to efficiently address the public health and safety threats posed by dangerous vacant buildings at the lowest cost to taxpayers. One area where cities can increase efficiencies would be the ability to identify owners of vacant buildings through a registration requirement. S.B. 1572 seeks to assist cities in this effort by amending Section 214.233(a), Local Government Code, to delete existing text that limits authority to a municipality in a county with a population of two million or more.

As proposed, S.B. 1572 amends current law relating to municipal registration of vacant buildings.

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 Section 214.233(a), Local Government Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes a municipality, rather than a municipality located in a county with a population of two million or more, to adopt an ordinance requiring owners of vacant buildings to register their buildings by filing a registration form with a designated municipal official.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019. �