HB 1749
AN ACT relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Expands municipal courts' legal authority to enforce health, safety, and nuisance abatement ordinances within city limits and on city-owned property. Municipal governments can now issue search and seizure warrants to investigate and address property violations, allowing them to secure, remove, or demolish properties that do not meet local health and safety standards. The expanded jurisdiction gives cities more direct legal tools to address problematic properties, potentially impacting property owners who are not maintaining their buildings or lots in compliance with local regulations.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 29.003, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance may (1) civil jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing municipal ordinances enacted under Subchapter A, Chapter 214, Local Government Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 683, Transportation Code; (2) concurrent jurisdiction with a district court or a county court at law under Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Local Government Code, within the municipality's territorial limits and property owned by the municipality located in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances; and (A) search warrants for the purpose of investigating a health and safety or nuisance abatement ordinance (B) seizure warrants for the purpose of securing, removing, or demolishing the offending property and removing the SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Safety and related subject areas.
Beverly C. Cornwell
PremiumMichael J. Johnson
Allison Billodeau
Sarah Hicks
Ky Ash
Andria Baum
David H. Cain
Ashley Michelle Juergens
Matthew Bentley
Elizabeth Hadley
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and
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