S.B. No. 2589 amends the Transportation Code to establish new procedures for commissioners courts in Texas regarding the closure, abandonment, or vacation of certain county roads. The bill modifies Section 251.058 by adding new subsections that outline specific conditions under which a commissioners court can bypass the standard procedure for conveying title to abutting property owners. Specifically, it introduces Subsection (b-3), which allows a commissioners court to avoid the usual conveyance process if it determines that doing so would create a public nuisance or safety hazard. In such cases, the court may either petition the municipality to annex the road or repurpose it for public uses unrelated to motorized traffic, such as hiking or biking trails.

Additionally, the bill specifies that Subsection (b-3) applies only to county roads that are located outside municipal limits in certain border counties with specific population criteria and that abut single-family residential lots in a planned subdivision within a municipality. The amendments aim to provide greater flexibility for local governments in managing county roads while addressing public safety concerns. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 251.058 (Transportation Code 251)
Senate Committee Report: Transportation Code 251.058 (Transportation Code 251)
Engrossed: Transportation Code 251.058 (Transportation Code 251)
House Committee Report: Transportation Code 251.058 (Transportation Code 251)
Enrolled: Transportation Code 251.058 (Transportation Code 251)