TCAA Legislative Update

April 1, 2011

TCAA is currently monitoring approximately 120 bills of which more than 50% are directly related to the operations of community associations.  Following are some highlights for this week and a look at next week.  In general, many of the bills which have already had a public hearing are being voted out of the committee to the floor of the House or Senate for approval. We are at the point in the session in which bill movement will be occurring regularly and quickly.

Significant Activity for the week of March 28th:

TCAA hired another lobbyist:  Because of the number of bills we are monitoring and the action required on each bill, the TCAA Board decided to increase our lobby team.  Val Perkins, of Gardere, has joined our team of Laura Matz and Luis Gonzalez with Santos Alliances, and Trey Blocker.

HB2328 - Rep McClendon's bill relating to the registration, monitoring, and investigation of and handling of funds by property owners' association boards:  TCAA opposed this bill during the hearing.  Rep. McClendon has indicated she will narrow the bill's focus to registration of associations and fiscal oversight.  TCAA is willing to support registration; however, we believe the other bills currently being considered on open meetings and records will address the reason this bill was filed.  Please continue to voice your concerns to the members of Business & Industry, as well as your elected officials.

HB 1882/HB 2761 - Garza bill on Open Meetings/Open Records:      Rep. Garza announced at the hearing that he would not move HB 1882 (government code) and will focus on HB 2761.  TCAA is working with Rep. Garza on substituted language for some provisions in the bill which we can support.

HB 3347 - Deshotel bill on POA operations:  TCAA continues to support this bill and work with Rep. Deshotel on changes to the bill.

HB 3348 - Deshotel bill on TUCA amendments:          TCAA continues to support this bill and work with Rep. Deshotel on any changes to this bill.

SB 142 - Senator West's omnibus bill:              TCAA continues to work with Senator West, and we are very close to being able to support the committee substitute (CSSB 142).

HB 8 - Rep. Darby transfer fee bill:    The substitute for this bill is an improvement; however, TCAA continues to provide input to Rep. Darby's office to make some modifications which would enable us to support the bill if the changes are made.

Some key bills scheduled for hearing the week of April 4:

Currently there are 6 POA related bills scheduled for hearings next week.  Please note the committee agendas are subject to change at any time. Those bills "left pending" (the committee took no action on during a previous meeting) may be voted on by the committee.  Following are highlights on significant issues on which TCAA is actively working.

HB 1868 - Rep. Paxton's bill on foreclosure:This bill imposes numerous new requirements on an association before the association can foreclose, which TCAA cannot support.

HB 2779 - Rep.Bohac's bill on flagpoles:  TCAA has worked with his staff to modify the bill, and can support the substituted language.

SB 446/SJR 19 - Sen. Jackson's bills on foreclosure:  These bills prohibit foreclosure of a homestead so the association can only collect the debt upon transfer of the property. TCAA will continue to let Sen. Jackson's office know our concerns with this bill. 

How can you help?

Contribute. 

Because of the large number and complexity of the bills currently filed, TCAA felt compelled to expand its lobby team to work more effectively on your behalf.  At this critical point, with so much at stake, we need your support to fund our ongoing efforts. Please don't allow an "empty wallet" to stand in the way of our mission to support pro-association legislation and block harmful "reforms."  Help us to oppose bills which will adversely affect your house, your community, your profession or your business. 

 

If you have not already made a contribution, please do so as soon as possible! To contribute online (credit cards accepted), go to: http://www.txcommunityassociationadvocates.org/forms/formDisplay.asp?frm_id=68552&assn_id=20176.

TCAA will continue to provide updates throughout the session. We encourage you to check our website regularly.   If you would like to receive specific communications from TCAA, please contribute. 

TCAA is CAI's voice in Austin on legislative issues critical to Texas Community Associations and the professionals that manage them. Established in 2010, TCAA took over the duties of CAI's Texas Legislative Action Committee (T-LAC) with a mandate to fight for community associations and build relationships with key stakeholder organizations and legislators. Your support of our efforts is critical to helping build healthy, stable communities across the Lone Star State.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Sandy Denton, TCAA Chair at sandyd@clubsienna.com.