All Roll Calls
Yes: 296 • No: 177
TexasSB 157989th Legislature Regular SessionSenate
Relating to the appointment of a receiver for and sale of certain parcels of land that are abandoned, unoccupied, tax delinquent, and undeveloped in certain municipalities.
Sponsored By: César Blanco (Democratic), Mary E. González
Signed by Governor
EL PASO COUNTYSOCORRO, CITY OFCity Government--Land Use & ZoningCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesProperty Interests--Real PropertyPUBLIC NOTICE
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Abandoned land faces sale, with safeguards
Beginning September 1, 2025, eligible municipalities can use an expedited process that leads to court control and sale of abandoned land. The municipality must be in a county bordering another country and containing a city with more than 500,000 people. Land must be inside the municipality and either never platted or surveyed, or undeveloped and unoccupied for at least 25 years afterward. In a subdivision, at least 50% of parcels must be undeveloped, abandoned, and unoccupied, and parcels must be 10 acres or less. The parcel's latest assessed value must be below $1,000, without agricultural-use tax valuation. Taxes must be delinquent for the current year and at least five of the previous 10 years. A final court decision in a receivership case extinguishes owner and lienholder interests to the extent the law provides, while preserving rights to net proceeds. Designation or receivership alone does not make the municipality the owner; ownership established under other law remains unchanged.
Court managers improve land and charge fees
A court-appointed receiver manages the land and can improve it, add infrastructure, combine parcels, redraw lots, and arrange sales. Receivers must have relevant knowledge and take an oath; municipalities, their officials and employees, certain relatives, and direct beneficiaries cannot serve. Receivers can accept land donations, which become final unless challenged before the donation's first anniversary. Receivers can charge up to 15% of costs and expenses, unless the court approves a different limit for good cause. Unpaid costs, expenses, and fees are secured by a lien on the land and can reduce money left for owners. The court controls use of funds, approves sales, and requires cost, revenue, parcel-disposition, and ownership-interest reports before the receivership ends or improvements make the land developable.
Land buyers gain title through public sales
Receivers must sell land through public auction, sealed bids, or sealed proposals. English and Spanish newspaper notices are required at least 60 days and again 30 days before sale. Notices must identify the property, sale process, any minimum bid, financial terms, and use restrictions; receivers must also try to reach development bidders. Receivers can reject all offers, reorganize the land, combine parcels, or offer them again. At a closing conducted under the required sale procedures, buyers gain full ownership, called fee simple title, and the sale price conclusively establishes fair market value.
Owners can challenge or reclaim land
Before designating land, the municipality must hold a public hearing where owners and lienholders can present evidence. It must try to directly notify record owners, lienholders, and anyone who paid the parcel's taxes during the past 15 tax years. Newspaper and website notice is due at least 10 days before the hearing; a newspaper notice can instead direct readers to details online. A county-records filing warns that rights may end and binds people acquiring interests afterward. Compliance creates a legal presumption that owners and lienholders received notice. Paying all property taxes and penalties by the hearing is a defense, even after receiving notice. Owners and lienholders have 60 calendar days after the resolution to file a verified district-court petition stating specific legal objections. Review uses the substantial-evidence standard; without a timely petition, the resolution becomes final. Record owners or their agents can also reclaim land within 12 months after a receiver's appointment by paying current and overdue taxes plus applicable proportional notice and administrative fees.
Owners can claim leftover land-sale money
Net proceeds from land sales must be held in trust for at least three years, unless claimed sooner. During that time, the court must order practical additional notices to owners and lienholders about the money. Unclaimed money remaining after the trust period goes to Texas, subject to state laws governing recovery and disposal of those funds.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Mary E. González
House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/30/2025
Record vote
Yes: 28 • No: 3
House vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 87 • No: 59
House vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 83 • No: 55
House vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 86 • No: 57
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Intergovernmental Affairs
Yes: 7 • No: 3 • Other: 1
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Local Government
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/2/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/2/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
6/1/2025SenateReported enrolled
5/31/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
5/31/2025HouseRecord vote
5/30/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
5/30/2025SenateRead
5/30/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
5/30/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
5/27/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/27/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3659)
5/27/2025HousePassed
5/27/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/27/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/27/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3620)
5/27/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/27/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3619)
5/27/2025HouseAmended (1-M. González)
5/27/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/27/2025HousePlaced on General State Calendar
5/24/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
5/22/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
5/21/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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