Bill Text: TX HB4108 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to subdivision plat requirements.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-11 - Placed on General State Calendar [HB4108 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4108-Comm_Sub.html

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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.