S.B. No. 1579 introduces a new subchapter to the Local Government Code aimed at providing municipalities in counties with populations over 500,000 and adjacent to an international border with a framework to manage abandoned, unoccupied, tax-delinquent, and undeveloped parcels of land. The bill allows municipal governing bodies to expedite the classification of parcels as abandoned and tax-delinquent based on specific criteria, such as being undeveloped for 25 years, having an assessed value of less than $1,000, and owing delinquent taxes for at least five out of the last ten years. It outlines procedures for public hearings, notifications to property owners and lienholders, and judicial review processes.

Additionally, the bill details the authority and responsibilities of court-appointed receivers who will manage these parcels. Receivers are granted powers to control the property, make repairs, aggregate parcels, and sell the property, with the requirement that they be sworn in and have a successor appointed in case of incapacitation. The bill mandates that property sales occur through public auction or sealed bids, with transparency measures including bilingual notices and detailed sale information. It also establishes that the sale price will serve as conclusive evidence of the property's fair market value. These provisions are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()
House Committee Report: ()
Enrolled: ()