Bill > HB4617

This bill requires sellers of unimproved real property in Texas to disclose whether the property is located in a floodplain, which is defined as an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a special or moderate flood hazard area. The seller must provide a written notice to the purchaser that allows them to check whether they are aware or not aware of the property's floodplain status, with a caveat that if no box is checked, the purchaser should assume the property is in a floodplain. The notice must be delivered on or before the effective date of the property purchase contract, and if the seller fails to provide this notice, the purchaser may terminate the contract within seven days of the contract's effective date. This requirement applies to all sellers of unimproved real property, including developers selling property for resale. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to property sale contracts entered into on or after that date. The primary goal of this bill is to increase transparency and help potential property buyers make more informed decisions about purchasing land that might be prone to flooding.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4617