Bill > SB2523

This bill modifies the process for releasing an area from a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which is the area outside a city's limits where the municipality has certain planning and zoning powers. The bill clarifies and adds several key provisions: residents may only petition for release of an area they actually reside in, and landowners may only include parcels they own; petition signatures must be from either more than 50% of registered voters or a majority of landowners based on the most recent appraised property values; municipalities must notify residents and landowners within seven business days of receiving a petition and about its results; and a new provision allows individual landowners to opt out of being included in an ETJ release. The bill also expands the circumstances under which a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction can be reduced, adding compliance with certain subchapters as additional exceptions to requiring municipal consent. The changes aim to provide more transparency and flexibility in the ETJ release process, giving more control to individual residents and landowners while maintaining procedural requirements. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2523