Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds the passage of House Bill 3053, a bill that allows select communities to hold an election on the question of disannexation if they were unfairly captured during a particular time period. We are encouraged by this critical legislation and the opportunities it creates for future disannexation reform. However, there is still more work to do to ensure the system respects private property rights, protects the right to self-governance, and treats all stakeholders fairly.
“When finally passed, House Bill 3053 will give some Texans a chance to vote on the question of disannexation. This is something that was denied to residents by big, opportunistic cities who raced to use involuntarily annexation before the Texas Legislature could act in 2017,” said James Quintero, Policy Director for TPPF. “With this important legislation in place, some Texans will have their right to self-governance restored. We applaud Rep. Jay Dean and Sen. Angela Paxton for fighting for these Texans and encourage them to expand the concept in 2025.”