HB4689 - Relating to municipal annexation of an area adjacent to contiguous or connecting railroad rights-of-way.

  89R3656 SCL-F     By: Hickland H.B. No. 4689       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to municipal annexation of an area adjacent to contiguous   or connecting railroad rights-of-way.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 43, Local Government Code,   is amended by adding Section 43.1057 to read as follows:           Sec.   43.1057.     ANNEXATION OF AREA ADJACENT TO CONTIGUOUS OR   CONNECTING RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY.   (a)   Notwithstanding any other   law, a municipality that is annexing an area under Subchapter C-3,   C-4, C-5, or D may also annex with the initial area an additional   area if:                 (1)     the area is adjacent to a right-of-way of a railway   line, spur, or other railroad property that is:                       (A)     contiguous and runs parallel to the   municipality's boundaries; and                       (B)     contiguous to the area being annexed under   Subchapter C-3, C-4, C-5, or D; and                 (2)     each owner of the area agrees to the annexation by   the municipality.           (b)     For purposes of Subsection (a) or other law with a   municipal boundary contiguous requirement, including a municipal   charter or ordinance, an area adjacent or contiguous to the initial   area being annexed under Subsection (a) is considered adjacent and   contiguous to the annexing municipality.           (c)     Section 43.054 does not apply to the annexation under   this section of the additional area described by Subsection (a).          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.