HBA-BSM H.B. 2979 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2979
By: Dukes
State Affairs
3/30/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

As Texas continues to grow in population,  the need for the state to
purchase land for  transportation needs such as a right-of-way and other
developmental projects increases.  Currently, individuals who sell their
property to the state receive a one-time lump sum payment.  Current law
does not provide property owners with the option of having the payment from
the state broken down into a payment schedule.  House Bill 2979 allows
certain property owners to request a payment schedule of between three and
five years.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2979 amends the Government Code to require that on the request
of the owner of land being purchased by the state, the payments by the
state shall be made over a period of at least three years and not more than
five years as determined by the owner, provided that the owner is at least
65 years of age and the purchase price of the land is at least $50,000. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.