BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1585

By: Hughes

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the implementation of a bill passed by the 86th Legislature relating to the designation of a property as a local historic landmark by certain municipalities, it was discovered that municipalities could utilize zoning, planning, or historical commissions to meet the vote threshold needed to designate a property as a historic landmark. Currently, interested parties are concerned some municipalities are allowing multiple commissions to vote on a specific property in order to achieve this vote threshold. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding a lack of clarity with respect to municipal designation of a local historic district without property owner consent. S.B. 1585 seeks to address these issues by revising and expanding provisions relating to the designation of a property as a local historic landmark.

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

S.B. 1585 amends the Local Government Code to extend statutory provisions governing the designation of a property as a local historic landmark by an applicable municipality to apply to the inclusion of a property within the boundaries of a local historic district by the municipality. The bill requires a municipality that has more than one zoning, planning, or historical commission to designate one of those commissions as the entity with exclusive authority to approve the designation of a property as a local historic landmark and the inclusion of a property in a local historic district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.