SB 1708 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to exceptions to county platting requirements.

SB 1708 creates an exception to county platting requirements for land gifted between close family members. Specifically, it removes the need for platting when property is transferred as a gift between relatives within the third degree of kinship (e.g., siblings, nieces/nephews, or grandparents). The bill clarifies that this exception applies only to the initial gift transfer, not to subsequent sales of the land. This change directly affects property owners in Texas counties who transfer land to close relatives as gifts, streamlining the process for these specific transactions.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action May 26, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · May 6, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Texas Local Government Code provisions regarding county platting requirements in extraterritorial jurisdictions. It adds new rules about when model subdivision rules apply and creates an exemption for land gifts between close family members.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of exemptions from county platting requirements by adding a specific exemption for family land gifts and clarifies when subdivision rules apply.

ELIGIBILITY

Adds new Section 232.0014 clarifying that model subdivision rules do not supersede exceptions to platting requirements or the applicability provision in Section 232.022(b-1).

Creates new Section 232.022(b-1) exempting subdivisions from platting requirements when land is gifted between relatives within the third degree of relationship (such as parents, siblings, or grandparents/grandchildren).

REQUIREMENT

Modifies Section 232.022(b) to clarify that the subchapter applies only to land subdivided into two or more lots intended primarily for residential use, with lots of five acres or less presumed to be residential.

TIMELINE

Changes the effective date provision from requiring a two-thirds vote for immediate effect to September 1, 2025 if that vote threshold is not met.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

May 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

May 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Land & Resource Management

lower

May 8, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

May 7, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

May 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Committee

Referred to Local Government

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors