Second Bill to Create Military Land Use Control Commissions Advances

Today SB 2223 by Van de Putte was placed on the Senate intent calendar for Monday, May 11th. This bill would allow a “defense community” that includes a city of at least 1.1 million to create a “regional military sustainability commission” to establish "compatible development standards" and review new projects within 2 miles of a military installation (3 miles if created during flight training).

More Eminent Domain Reform Advances

Today SJR 42 by Duncan was placed on the Senate intent calendar after it was reported favorably as substituted by the Senate State Affairs Committee yesterday. This resolution proposes amending the Texas Constitution to read: "public use" does not include the acquisition of a private property interest for the primary purpose of economic development when the acquired property interest is transferred to the benefit of a private person or entity.

Another Military Land Use Regulation Bill Advances

Today HB 2919 by King was placed on the General State Calendar for its second reading. This bill would require a "defense community" to consult with defense base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Senate Passes Bill to Create Laughlin Air Force Base Zoning Board

Today the Senate had second and third readings and passed SB 2439 by Uresti as amended.  This bill would create a regional military sustainability commission for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.

On April 22nd, the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee reported its companion, HB 2056 by Gallego, favorably as substituted. The bill is currently in the House Calendars Committee, where it could be scheduled to come to the House floor.

Senate Passes Bill to Create Military Land Use Control Commissions

Today the Senate had second and third readings and passed SB 2222 by Van de Putte.

The Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Committee, which Senator Van de Putte chairs, voted on this bill on April 22nd. Senator Huffman was the only member of the committee to vote against SB 2222. He also voted against similar bill, SB 2223 by Van de Putte, and SB 2439 by Uresti.

SB 2222 would allow a county with unincorporated area and a city with extraterritorial jurisdiction located within 5 miles of a military installation to create a “regional military sustainability commission” (RMSC). This commission would establish "compatible development standards" and review new projects within 2 miles of a military installation (3 miles if created during flight training); SB 2223 would allow a “defense community” that includes a city of at least 1.1 million to create a RMSC.

Eminent Domain Reform Advances

Today the House passed HB 2685 by Callegari. HB 2685 would require condemning entities to provide a landowner with a copy of the Landowner's Bill of Rights at least 7 days before making a final offer and before or at the same time the "entity first represents in any manner to the landowner that the entity possesses eminent domain authority."

Today the House received SB 18 by Estes, which was passed unanimously by the Senate yesterday. SB 18 and its companion HB 1483 by Pitts are similar to last session's comprehensive eminent domain reform bill, HB 2006, which was vetoed by Governor Perry.

On April 16th, the House Land & Resource Management Committee sent the committee report for HB 417 by Callegari to the House Calendars Committee after reporting the bill favorably on April 9th. HB 417 would tighten the definition of "blighted area" for condemnation by a city and require compensation to include relocation costs for a comparable standard of living.

On April 29th, the House Land & Resource Management Committee reported HJR 14 by Corte favorably as substituted. HJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to tighten the definition of public use for a taking to "only if the taking, damage, or destruction is necessary for the possession, occupation, and enjoyment of the property by the public at large or by the State or a political subdivision of the State."

On April 30th, the House Urban Affairs Committee sent the committee report for HB 1389 by committee chair Davis to Calendars after reporting the bill favorably on April 29th. HB 1389 would tighten the definition of "blighted area" for condemnation by a city and require compensation to include relocation costs for a homestead or farm.