S.B. No. 2577 amends the Local Government Code to establish new requirements for subdivision platting in certain Texas counties, particularly those bordering the United Mexican States and the Gulf of Mexico. The bill introduces a new Subchapter G, which outlines definitions and specific applicability criteria for subdivisions, including the requirement for a plat when subdividing land into two or more lots, with at least one lot being less than five acres. It clarifies that counties may not require a plat if the lots are sold to adjoining landowners and added to their existing parcels. The bill also modifies existing sections of the Local Government Code, including Section 232.0015, to exempt certain subdivisions from the subchapter's requirements and amends Section 232.022 to specify the applicability of the subchapter to the relevant counties.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the commissioners court in approving plats, including compliance with floodplain regulations and the requirement for a bond to ensure the installation of water and sewer facilities. It mandates that the commissioners court must make determinations regarding certificates for subdivisions within specific timeframes and allows for the imposition of fees for certificates issued for subdivisions outside municipal limits. The bill establishes penalties for subdividers who fail to comply with regulations, including civil penalties for public health nuisances and criminal charges for knowingly failing to file required plats. It also introduces provisions for granting variances from compliance with subdivision requirements and outlines the process for revising subdivision plats, ensuring that established rights of landowners are respected. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 232.0015, Local Government Code 232.022, Local Government Code 232.071, Water Code 16.343, Water Code 16.350 (Local Government Code 232, Water Code 16)