H.B. No. 2496
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the designation of a property as a historic landmark by
  a municipality.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 211, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 211.0165 to read as follows:
         Sec. 211.0165.  DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC LANDMARK. (a)
  Except as provided by Subsection (b), a municipality that has
  established a process for designating places or areas of
  historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance
  through the adoption of zoning regulations or zoning district
  boundaries may not designate a property as a local historic
  landmark unless:
               (1)  the owner of the property consents to the
  designation; or
               (2)  the designation is approved by a three-fourths
  vote of:
                     (A)  the governing body of the municipality; and
                     (B)  the zoning, planning, or historical
  commission of the municipality, if any.
         (b)  If the property is owned by an organization that
  qualifies as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax
  Code, the municipality may designate the property as a local
  historic landmark only if the organization consents to the
  designation.
         (c)  The municipality must provide the property owner a
  statement that describes the impact that a historic designation of
  the owner's property may have on the owner and the owner's property.
  The municipality must provide the statement to the owner not later
  than the 15th day before the date of the initial hearing on the
  historic designation of the property of:
               (1)  the zoning, planning, or historical commission, if
  any; or
               (2)  the governing body of the municipality.
         (d)  The historic designation impact statement must include
  lists of the:
               (1)  regulations that may be applied to any structure
  on the property after the designation;
               (2)  procedures for the designation;
               (3)  tax benefits that may be applied to the property
  after the designation; and
               (4)  rehabilitation or repair programs that the
  municipality offers for a property designated as historic.
         (e)  The municipality must allow an owner to withdraw consent
  at any time during the designation process.
         SECTION 2.  Section 211.0165, Local Government Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to a designation of a property as a
  historic landmark made on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2496 was passed by the House on April
  26, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 124, Nays 11, 3 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2496 was passed by the Senate on May
  14, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 25, Nays 6.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor