FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(a) The legislature finds that: (1) the pending expiration of property restrictions applicable to real estate subdivisions in municipalities and in the extraterritorial jurisdiction area of municipalities where there is no zoning creates uncertainty in living conditions and discourages investments in affected subdivisions; (2) owners of land in affected subdivisions are reluctant or unable to provide proper maintenance, upkeep, and repairs of structures because of the pending expiration of the restrictions; (3) financial institutions cannot or will not lend money for investments, maintenance, upkeep, or repairs in affected subdivisions; (4) these conditions cause dilapidation of housing and other structures and cause unhealthful and unsanitary conditions in affected subdivisions, contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens; and (5) the existence of racial covenants in subdivisions, regardless of their unenforceability, is offensive, repugnant, and harmful to members of racial or ethnic minority groups, and public policy requires that these covenants be deleted. (b) The purpose of this chapter is to provide a procedure for extending the term of, creation of, additions to, or modification of restrictions and to provide for the removal of any restriction or other provision relating to race, religion, or national origin that is void and unenforceable under either the United States Constitution or Section 5.026.