Sec. 232.0085.  CANCELLATION OF CERTAIN SUBDIVISIONS IF LAND REMAINS UNDEVELOPED.  (a)  This section applies only to real property that:
(1)  is located in the unincorporated area of an affected county, as defined by Section 16.341, Water Code, that:
(A)  has adopted the model rules developed under Section 16.343, Water Code; and
(B)  is located along an international border; and
(2)  if the area is located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, is not subject to a written agreement under Section 242.001 that authorizes the municipality to regulate subdivision plats and approve related permits in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
(b)  The commissioners court of a county may cancel, after notice and a hearing as required by this section, a subdivision for which the plat was filed and approved before September 1, 1989, if:
(1)  the development of or the making of improvements in the subdivision was not begun before the effective date of this section;  and
(2)  the commissioners court by resolution has made a finding that the land in question is likely to be developed as a colonia.
(c)  The commissioners court must publish notice of a proposal to cancel a subdivision under this section and the time and place of the required hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for at least 21 days immediately before the date a cancellation order is adopted under this section.  The county tax assessor-collector shall, not later than the 14th day before the date of the hearing, deposit with the United States Postal Service a similar notice addressed to each owner of land in the subdivision, as determined by the most recent county tax roll.
(d)  At the hearing, the commissioners court shall permit any interested person to be heard.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall adopt an order on whether to cancel the subdivision.  The commissioners court may adopt an order canceling a subdivision if the court determines the cancellation is in the best interest of the public.  The court may not adopt an order canceling a subdivision if:
(1)  the cancellation interferes with the established rights of a person who is a nondeveloper owner and owns any part of the subdivision, unless the person agrees to the cancellation;  or
(2)  the owner of the entire subdivision is able to show that:
(A)  the owner of the subdivision is able to comply with the minimum state standards and model political subdivision rules developed under Section 16.343, Water Code, including any bonding requirements;  or
(B)  the land was developed or improved within the period described by Subsection (b).
(e)  The commissioners court shall file the cancellation order for recording in the deed records of the county.  After the cancellation order is filed and recorded, the property shall be treated as if it had never been subdivided, and the county chief appraiser shall assess the property accordingly.  Any liens against the property shall remain against the property as it was previously subdivided.
(f)  In this section:
(1)  "Development" means the making, installing, or constructing of buildings and improvements.
(2)  "Improvements" means water supply, treatment, and distribution facilities;  wastewater collection and treatment facilities;  and other utility facilities.  The term does not include roadway facilities.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 277, Sec. 2, eff. June 5, 1995.
Amended by: 
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 75 (S.B. 580), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.