88R25774 ATP-F
 
  By: Burns H.B. No. 1786
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the amendment of restrictive covenants of certain
  residential subdivisions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 202, Property Code, is amended by adding
  Section 202.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 202.024.  RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION WITHOUT MANDATORY
  PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION.  (a)  In this section, "dedicatory
  instrument" includes a deed containing a restrictive covenant.
         (b)  This section applies only to residential subdivisions
  whose dedicatory instruments do not require membership in a
  property owners' association.
         (c)  The dedicatory instruments of a residential subdivision
  described by Subsection (b) may not be amended unless notice of the
  proposed amendment is provided by certified mail, return receipt
  requested, to each property owner in the residential subdivision,
  at the owner's mailing address according to the records of the
  appraisal district in which the property is located. The notice
  must:
               (1)  contain the text of the amendment;
               (2)  contain a ballot that the owner may return to an
  address stated on the ballot in order to cast the owner's vote;
               (3)  state a deadline to return the ballot, which may
  not be less than 60 days after the date the notice is sent; and
               (4)  identify an individual or entity who will tabulate
  the ballots and include the individual's or entity's mailing
  address.
         (d)  The individual or entity who tabulates the ballots must
  retain the ballots for at least 180 days after the deadline provided
  by Subsection (c)(3).
         (e)  If within the ballot retention period provided by
  Subsection (d), a property owner in the residential subdivision
  sends a request by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
  ballot tabulator at the address given under Subsection (c)(4), the
  ballot tabulator must provide the owner a copy of all ballots in
  electronic or paper form.
         (f)  A dedicatory instrument amendment that receives the
  required vote in order to be adopted in accordance with the terms of
  the dedicatory instrument may not be filed of record until the 30th
  day after the expiration of the ballot retention period provided by
  Subsection (d).
         (g)  This section supersedes any contrary requirement in a
  dedicatory instrument.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.