Bill Text: TX SB1741 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to tree mitigation fees imposed by municipalities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-26 - Not again placed on intent calendar [SB1741 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB1741-Comm_Sub.html
 
 
  By: Fraser  S.B. No. 1741
         (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2011; March 23, 2011, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources;
  April 13, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 7,
  Nays 0; April 13, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to tree mitigation fees imposed by municipalities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 212, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter H to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H.  MUNICIPAL TREE MITIGATION FEE
         Sec. 212.191.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies to a
  municipality that requires as a condition for approval of a permit
  that an applicant pay the municipality or a third party a tree
  mitigation fee.
         Sec. 212.192.  AMOUNT OF MUNICIPAL TREE MITIGATION FEE. A
  municipality that requires a tree mitigation fee to offset the
  impact of an activity that a municipal permit authorizes must set
  the fee in an amount that is roughly proportionate to the impact
  that the activity will have on the public.
         Sec. 212.193.  FILING OF APPEAL WITH MUNICIPALITY. A permit
  applicant may appeal the amount of a tree mitigation fee set by a
  municipality under this subchapter by filing an appeal with the
  governing body of the municipality.  The appeal must be in writing
  and specify the grounds for the appeal.
         Sec. 212.194.  HEARING ON APPEAL TO MUNICIPALITY. (a)  Not
  later than the 30th day after the date the notice of appeal is filed
  under Section 212.193, the governing body of the municipality shall
  set a hearing for the appeal.
         (b)  At the hearing the permit applicant may present evidence
  and witness testimony that is relevant to the tree mitigation fee
  determination.
         (c)  The permit applicant may appear at the hearing in person
  or by agent or attorney.
         (d)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the hearing
  concludes, the governing body shall make a final determination
  regarding the amount of the tree mitigation fee.
         Sec. 212.195.  APPEAL TO COUNTY OR DISTRICT COURT. (a)  Not
  later than the 30th day after the date the final determination is
  made under Section 212.194, a permit applicant may appeal the
  determination to a county or district court in the county in which
  the activity to be permitted will occur.
         (b)  The municipality shall have the burden of proof to
  establish that the amount of the tree mitigation fee is roughly
  proportionate to the impact that the activity to be permitted will
  have on the public.
         (c)  The court shall award attorney's fees and costs of court
  to a permit applicant who prevails in a suit under this section.
         Sec. 212.196.  NO WAIVER OF RIGHT TO APPEAL.  (a)  A
  municipality may not require a permit applicant to waive a right of
  appeal under this subchapter as a condition for approval of a
  permit.
         (b)  A permit applicant who pays a contested tree mitigation
  fee does not waive a right of appeal under this subchapter by taking
  an action authorized by a permit issued by the municipality.
         Sec. 212.197.  APPLICATION OF LAW RELATED TO CAPITAL
  IMPROVEMENTS. This subchapter does not diminish the authority or
  modify the procedures specified by Chapter 395.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, the changes in law made by Subchapter H, Chapter 212,
  Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply only to a tree
  mitigation fee assessed by a municipality on or after the effective
  date of this Act.
         (b)  The changes in law made by Subchapter H, Chapter 212,
  Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply to a contested
  tree mitigation fee assessed by a municipality before the effective
  date of this Act if an appeal of the amount of the fee has not been
  finally determined or adjudicated on the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2011.
 
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