By: Craddick H.B. No. 3947
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the improper taxation of properties in certain areas
  that do not receive full municipal services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 43, Local Government Code,
  is amended by adding Section 43.1415 to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.1415.  TAXATION OF PROPERTIES IN CERTAIN AREAS NOT
  RECEIVING FULL MUNICIPAL SERVICES. (a) In this section, "full
  municipal services" means:
               (1)  the provision of police protection;
               (2)  the provision of fire protection, including fire
  hydrants;
               (3)  the provision of emergency medical services;
               (4)  the provision of solid waste collection, other
  than those services that a municipality is not required to provide
  under Section 43.056(o) to an area, lot, or tract subject to that
  section;
               (5)  the operation and maintenance of water and
  wastewater facilities; and,
               (6)  the operation and maintenance of roads and
  streets.
         (b)  This section does not apply to an area, lot, or tract for
  which a Home Rule municipality:
               (1)  is not currently required to provide full
  municipal services under a service plan described by Section
  43.056; or
               (2)  has entered into a regulatory plan or other
  written agreement to extend the time for providing or waive
  provision of full municipal services.
         (c)  Notwithstanding the requirement of Sec. 43.056(l), any
  area, lot, or tract in which the home-rule municipality is not
  providing or causing the provision of full municipal services is
  automatically disannexed.
               (1)  If a home-rule municipality fails or refuses to
  recognize the disannexation of an area, lot, or tract under this
  section, a person owning real property wholly or partly located in
  the area, lot, or tract may bring an action against the municipality
  to recognize the disannexation of the portion of the property
  previously located in the municipality. If the person prevails,
  the person may recover attorney's fees and court costs resulting
  from bringing the action.
               (2)  A municipality's governmental immunity to suit and
  governmental immunity from liability are waived to the extent of
  liability created by this section.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2023.