SB2139

The 1953 law authorized the Adjutant General’s Department to convey the land to the City of Mineral Wells for fairs, livestock shows and rodeos only. It required ownership to return immediately to the state if the property was used for another purpose, required a substantial fence acceptable to the department, and retained state title to existing buildings, structures and other property. These retained interests explain why another act was needed. Original 1953 transfer law, sections 1–3.

SB2139 requires the Military Department to determine fair market value using two different dates: the land’s value at the original transfer date and the present value of retained interests in buildings, structures and other property. It permits an independent appraisal, or other reasonable valuation means if an independent appraisal is not feasible. Treating both amounts as today’s land value would misstate the act. Final law, section 1(a).

The department must negotiate and close a transaction with the association to release the state’s return-of-ownership right and other interests. Past public use for fairs, livestock shows and rodeos counts as consideration toward the specified values. If that past-use value is sufficient, the department must execute an instrument releasing the interests. If it is insufficient, the department may release them in exchange for the remaining monetary consideration it determines. The act does not itself establish the dollar values or prove a release has already been executed. Final law, section 1(b)–(d).

This applies only to the tract described in section 2, not all former military or fairground land. Its boundary calls match the operative description in section 1 of the 1953 law: Section 13, Abstract 701, T. & P. R.R. Co. Surveys, starting 1,044 feet north of the section’s southwest corner, then north 2,586 feet, east 625.8 feet, south 2,586 feet and west 625.8 feet. The references to 86.5-acre and 45-acre tracts identify earlier deed tracts; they are not a statement that SB2139 transfers their combined acreage. The 1953 preamble prints 85.5 acres, but its operative section 1 and the 2025 act both say 86.5. Final law, section 2; Original 1953 transfer law, page 406.

The introduced, Senate committee, Senate-passed, House committee and enrolled versions have the same operative provisions. The official amendment index lists no amendments, so there is no separate adopted or rejected floor proposal to treat as law. The enrolled voting record satisfied the act’s two-thirds immediate-effect condition. All official versions; Amendment index; Final law, section 3 and certifications.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

The potential benefit is resolving old state property restrictions and retained interests through a defined valuation-and-release process, with credit for decades of public use. The association may still owe money if the credited use does not cover the required values. The state gives up its remaining interests only through that process, and the department must perform valuation and transaction work. Nothing in the reviewed records establishes a completed sale, an appraisal amount, guaranteed proceeds or a specific future development. Final law.

The Legislative Budget Board’s April 21 fiscal note anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the state or local governments and assumes implementation can be absorbed with existing resources. That is a budget estimate, not a finding that the property or retained interests have no value or that the association will pay nothing. The act supplies no numerical purchase price, quantified public-use credit, appropriation or guaranteed savings. Fiscal note.