Bill Text: TX HB3995 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the regulatory authority of certain counties to protect the operations of military installations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-20 - Referred to Land & Resource Management [HB3995 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3995-Introduced.html
  88R12316 SCL-F
 
  By: Troxclair H.B. No. 3995
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulatory authority of certain counties to protect
  the operations of military installations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 231, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter N to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER N.  DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES WITH
  WATERSHEDS THAT INCLUDE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
         Sec. 231.301.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds
  that:
               (1)  the ability of the military to train and prepare
  for future military operations at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp
  Bullis is of vital concern to the entire state;
               (2)  the economy of the entire state is affected by the
  ability of the military to train and prepare for future military
  operations at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis;
               (3)  the orderly development of the unincorporated
  areas of a county located in the watershed of Joint Base San
  Antonio-Camp Bullis will protect the ability of the installation to
  operate as a military installation; and
               (4)  without adequate county development regulations,
  the unincorporated areas will be developed in ways that endanger
  and interfere with the ability of Joint Base San Antonio-Camp
  Bullis to operate as a military installation.
         Sec. 231.302.  LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN
  UNINCORPORATED AREA. The commissioners court of a county that has
  unincorporated area located in the watershed of Joint Base San
  Antonio-Camp Bullis by order may adopt for that area:
               (1)  lot size restrictions and well spacing
  requirements consistent with:
                     (A)  requirements of a groundwater conservation
  district that are applicable to the area; or 
                     (B)  best management practices to mitigate
  flooding and stormwater impacts and preserve water quality;
               (2)  a requirement that:
                     (A)  the primary supplier of water to a proposed
  subdivision be contractually obligated to provide a sufficient
  supply of water for a period of at least 50 years; and
                     (B)  a secondary supplier of water be
  contractually obligated to adequately serve the residents of the
  subdivision during normal and drought conditions to prevent the
  depletion of water supplies to military installations;
               (3)  reasonable design standards for roadways to employ
  best management practices for managing flood waters and protecting
  public safety and operations at the military installation;
               (4)  requirements for a minimum amount of open space or
  a limitation on the amount of impervious cover for recharge and
  runoff purposes;
               (5)  requirements for local floodplain zones or other
  measures to preserve floodways and riparian corridors to minimize
  conflicts between incompatible land uses within the watersheds that
  jeopardize military operations; and
               (6)  other regulations necessary to regulate and manage
  land development if deemed critical to military operations.
         Sec. 231.303.  SPECIAL EXCEPTION. (a)  A person aggrieved by
  a development regulation adopted under this subchapter may appeal
  to the commissioners court of the county that adopted the
  regulation for a special exception.
         (b)  A person appealing under Subsection (a) must comply with
  applicable procedural requirements prescribed by the county before
  the county may grant a special exception.
         (c)  The commissioners court of each county that adopts
  development regulations under this subchapter shall adopt
  procedures governing special exception applications, notice,
  hearings, and other requirements.
         Sec. 231.304.  COOPERATION WITH OTHER POLITICAL
  SUBDIVISIONS. The commissioners court of a county authorized to
  adopt development regulations under this subchapter may enter into
  an agreement with a municipality or other governmental entity
  located in the county to assist in the implementation and
  enforcement of the regulations.
         Sec. 231.305.  LOT SIZE RESTRICTIONS IN CERTAIN AREAS. A
  county must adopt and impose a lot size restriction under this
  subchapter in accordance with any desired future conditions adopted
  under Chapter 36, Water Code, by a groundwater conservation
  district in which the subdivision is wholly or partly located for an
  area:
               (1)  designed as a priority groundwater management
  area; and
               (2)  that is served by a public water supply system that
  uses water from the Trinity Aquifer.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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