HSB 679

This bill relates to the power of political subdivisions regarding the sale, lease, or transfer of property for educational purposes. A political subdivision includes a county, city, township, school district, an institution governed by the department of health and human services under Code chapter 218, or the governing body of an educational institution, as defined in the bill, including any authority, agency, board, or commission of any such entity. Political subdivisions are prohibited from adopting and enforcing an ordinance, policy, or resolution prohibiting the sale, lease, or transfer of property to an educational institution solely because the educational institution intends to use the property for a lawful educational purpose. A political subdivision offering property for sale, lease, or transfer is required to provide an educational institution with a right of first refusal. The bill provides an educational institution the right of first refusal of any real estate of less than two acres outside the limits of a city that is owned by a school district before the real estate reverts to the owner of the tract from whom it was taken. The bill prohibits a county, city, or township from adopting or enforcing a deed restriction that prohibits property sold, leased, or transferred by the political subdivision from being used for any lawful educational purpose by an educational institution.