88R23742 DRS-F
 
  By: Guillen, Gamez, et al. H.B. No. 4108
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4108:
 
  By:  Burns C.S.H.B. No. 4108
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to subdivision plat requirements.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 232.0015(f), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  A county may not require the owner of a tract of land
  located outside the limits of a municipality who divides the tract
  into two or more parts to have a plat of the subdivision prepared
  if:
               (1)  all of the lots of the subdivision are [more than]
  10 or more acres in area; and
               (2)  the owner does not lay out a part of the tract
  described by Section 232.001(a)(3).
         SECTION 2.  Sections 232.022(b) and (d), Local Government
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  This subchapter applies only to land that is subdivided
  into two or more lots that are intended primarily for residential
  use in the jurisdiction of the county.  A lot is presumed to be
  intended for residential use if the lot is less than five acres [or
  less].  This subchapter does not apply if the subdivision:
               (1)  is incident to the conveyance of the land as a gift
  between persons related to each other within the third degree by
  affinity or consanguinity, as determined under Chapter 573,
  Government Code; or
               (2)  has received an exemption from a county under
  Section 16.350(d), Water Code.
         (d)  This subchapter does not apply if all of the lots of the
  subdivision are [more than] 10 acres or more.
         SECTION 3.  Section 232.023(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A subdivider of land must have a plat of the subdivision
  prepared if at least one of the lots of the subdivision is less than
  five acres [or less].  A commissioners court by order may require
  each subdivider of land to prepare a plat if none of the lots is less
  than five acres [or less] but at least one of the lots of a
  subdivision is [more than] five acres or more but less [not more]
  than 10 acres.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 232, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 232.0231 to read as follows:
         Sec. 232.0231.  EXCEPTIONS TO PLAT REQUIREMENT. (a)  A
  county may not require the owner of a tract of land located outside
  the limits of a municipality who divides the tract into two or more
  parts to have a plat of the subdivision prepared if:
               (1)  the owner does not lay out a part of the tract
  described by Section 232.001(a)(3); or
               (2)  the lots are sold to adjoining landowners.
         (b)  A county may, in its sole discretion and on a
  determination that good cause exists, grant an exception to the
  plat requirements of this subchapter for an individual lot that the
  county determines:
               (1)  is located within 700 feet of a connection to a
  municipal water service;
               (2)  is adjacent to a public road;
               (3)  has sufficient space to accommodate a sewer
  service facility that complies with the model rules adopted under
  Section 16.343, Water Code; and
               (4)  a civil engineer registered to practice in this
  state has certified the lot:
                     (A)  has adequate drainage; and
                     (B)  is not in a floodplain.
         SECTION 5.  Section 232.027, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 232.027.  BOND REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (c), unless [Unless] a person has completed the
  installation of all water and sewer service facilities and roads
  and streets required by this subchapter on the date that person
  applies for final approval of a plat under Section 232.024, the
  commissioners court shall require the subdivider of the tract to
  execute and maintain in effect a bond or, in the alternative, a
  person may make a cash deposit in an amount the commissioners court
  determines will ensure compliance with this subchapter.  A person
  may not meet the requirements of this subsection through the use of
  a letter of credit unless that letter of credit is irrevocable and
  issued by an institution guaranteed by the FDIC.  The subdivider
  must comply with the requirement before subdividing the tract.
         (b)  A [The] bond required by this section must:
               (1)  for a bond for construction of water and sewer
  service facilities, be conditioned on the construction or
  installation of [water and sewer service] facilities that will be
  in compliance with the model rules adopted under Section 16.343,
  Water Code; or
               (2)  for a bond for construction of roads and streets,
  meet the requirements of Section 232.004.
         (c)  The commissioners court may, in its sole discretion,
  allow a person to stop maintaining a bond for construction of sewer
  service facilities under this section if:
               (1)  the person has completed the installation of all
  water facilities and roads and streets required by this subchapter;
  and
               (2)  the person delivers to the commissioners court an
  affidavit as described by Subsection (d) from each owner of a lot
  that does not have an installed sewer service facility.
         (d)  The affidavit under Subsection (c)(2) must include
  language substantially similar to the following:
               "I understand that I may not be eligible to receive
  water or electricity service unless I install a septic facility on
  my lot.  I voluntarily assume all financial responsibility to hire a
  licensed installer to install an on-site sewage facility that
  complies with Subchapter B, Chapter 232, Local Government Code,
  regarding subdivision platting requirements; with the model rules
  adopted under Section 16.343(c), Water Code, regarding septic
  systems; with Chapter 366, Health and Safety Code; and with the
  Construction Standards for On-Site Sewage Facilities adopted by the
  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other law and rules
  applicable to sewage facilities."
         SECTION 6.  Section 232.0315(b), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A county shall include in the public notice of sale of
  the property and the deed conveying the property a statement
  substantially similar to the following:
         "THIS SALE IS BEING CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO STATUTORY OR
  JUDICIAL REQUIREMENTS.  BIDDERS WILL BID ON THE RIGHTS, TITLE, AND
  INTERESTS, IF ANY, IN THE REAL PROPERTY OFFERED.
         "THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, AND WITHOUT ANY
  WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.  NEITHER THE COUNTY NOR THE
  SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WARRANTS OR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT
  THE PROPERTY'S TITLE, CONDITION, HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, OR
  FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  BUYERS ASSUME ALL RISKS.
         "IN SOME SITUATIONS, A LOT OF LESS THAN FIVE ACRES [OR LESS]
  IS PRESUMED TO BE INTENDED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.  HOWEVER, IF THE
  PROPERTY LACKS WATER OR WASTEWATER SERVICE, THE PROPERTY MAY NOT
  QUALIFY FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.  A POTENTIAL BUYER WHO WOULD LIKE MORE
  INFORMATION SHOULD MAKE ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES OR CONSULT WITH
  PRIVATE COUNSEL."
         SECTION 7.  Section 232.033, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
         (i)  A person who holds a real estate broker's or sales
  agent's license under Chapter 1101, Occupations Code, acting in the
  person's capacity as a real estate broker or sales agent is not an
  agent of a seller or subdivider for purposes of this section.
         SECTION 8.  Section 232.035, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
         (g)  A person who holds a real estate broker's or sales
  agent's license under Chapter 1101, Occupations Code, acting in the
  person's capacity as a real estate broker or sales agent is not an
  agent of a seller or subdivider for purposes of this section. 
         SECTION 9.  Section 232.072(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The owner of a tract of land that divides the tract in
  any manner that creates at least one lot of less than five acres [or
  less] intended for residential purposes must have a plat of the
  subdivision prepared.  A commissioners court by order may require
  each subdivider of land to prepare a plat if none of the lots is less
  than five acres [or less] but at least one of the lots of the
  subdivision is [more than] five acres or more but less [not more]
  than 10 acres.
         SECTION 10.  Section 232.080, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  A court having jurisdiction of an enforcement action
  under this section shall dismiss the action if the defendant:
               (1)  remedies the violation that is the subject of the
  enforcement action not later than the 45th day after the date the
  defendant receives notice of the action; and
               (2)  shows good cause for the dismissal.
         SECTION 11.  Section 16.350(d), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d)  A county or municipality that receives funds or
  financial assistance under Section 15.407 of this code or
  Subchapter K, Chapter 17, of this code may grant an exemption for a
  subdivision from the requirements of the model rules only if:
               (1)  the county or municipality supplies the
  subdivision with water supply and sewer services that meet the
  standards of the model rules; or
               (2)  the subdivision involves four or fewer lots that:
                     (A)  front an existing street that meets the
  standards adopted by the county or municipality and does not
  require the creation of any new street; and
                     (B)  have access to an existing water supply and
  sewer service that meets the standards of the model rules and does
  not require the extension of water or sewer facilities.
         SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.