H.B. No. 162 amends various sections of the Government, Human Resources, Local Government, and Water Codes to restrict the exercise of eminent domain by political subdivisions in Texas. The bill specifies that political subdivisions may not acquire property outside their boundaries through eminent domain, with several sections being updated to reflect this limitation. For instance, Section 1505.114(a) now allows municipalities to exercise eminent domain only for property within their corporate boundaries, and new Section 2206.003 explicitly prohibits political subdivisions from taking property located outside their boundaries. Other sections, such as those related to counties and municipalities, have also been amended to ensure that property acquisition through condemnation is limited to within the respective boundaries.

Additionally, the bill introduces several new provisions that reinforce the requirement for property to be located within the political subdivision's boundaries for various types of acquisitions, including those related to public utilities and water systems. For example, amendments to Sections 552.002 and 552.011 clarify that municipalities can only appropriate property through eminent domain if it is located inside their corporate limits. The changes made by this Act will apply only to condemnation petitions filed after its effective date, ensuring that any prior petitions are governed by the existing law. The Act is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 1505.114, Human Resources Code 63.017, Local Government Code 241.903, Local Government Code 251.001, Local Government Code 273.001, Local Government Code 280.001, Local Government Code 281.050, Local Government Code 331.001, Local Government Code 552.002, Local Government Code 552.011, Local Government Code 552.012, Natural Resources Code 221.021, Transportation Code 22.011, Water Code 30.033, Water Code 49.222, Water Code 57.269 (Local Government Code 241, Water Code 49, Local Government Code 273, Local Government Code 280, Water Code 57, Natural Resources Code 221, Local Government Code 281, Human Resources Code 63, Transportation Code 22, Local Government Code 552, Government Code 1505, Local Government Code 251, Water Code 30, Local Government Code 331)