The House Committee on Land and Resource Management has released its interim report to the 87th Legislature. The report covers implementation of HB 347 and eminent domain. For more information please see the full report.
Spotlight on Recommendations
Charge #1 – Monitor Legislation; HB 347, which eliminates the distinction between Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and municipalities so that all cities are prohibited from using forced annexation. Determine if there is a need for further annexation legislation in Texas. Study how implementation of voter-approved annexation impacts the need for extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- The majority of the Committee remains silent on recommendations due to the complaints being isolated to a specific city within the state. If the intentional actions by a select few are continually usurping the spirit and letter of the law, the Committee supports a local legislative response to those specific situations.
Charge #2 – Review the efficacy of the Landowner’s Bill of Rights
- The Office of the Attorney General issued a redraft of the Landowner Bill of Rights in September 2020. In the written submissions, there was consensus on a more specified framework of time to deliver the Landowner Bill of Rights. If there is consensus amongst state elected officials on a definitive timeline, the Committee would support such a statutory change.
Charge #3 – Study property owner’s rights in eminent domain
- The Committee remains silent on recommendations for this charge.
Charge #4 – Monitor State Auditor’s review of agencies and programs
- The Committee remains silent on recommendations for this charge.
