Page 8 - Builder Brief June 2025

2 0 2 5 P R E S I D E N T
YOUR ASSOCIATION’S
POLITICAL POWER AT WORK
The Texas Legislature will wrap up the 89th session on June 6th. Lawmakers
addressed funding for schools, water resources, and the power grid. GSABA
members testified on legislation impacting the homebuilding industry,
supporting efforts to lower home prices and improve affordability.
Several key bills have passed both houses and are awaiting Governor
Abbott’s signature. HB 2559, which allows smaller homes on smaller lots
to boost affordability, was sent to the governor on May 22nd.
Another key piece of legislation, SB 1883, passed the House and the
Senate and if signed into law by the Governor will extend public notice and
disclosure times, create a higher threshold for adoption or fee increases
and prohibit a city from increasing impact fees on an annual basis.
Impact fees directly drive-up future housing costs and decisions to adopt or
raise them should be carefully considered. Before these burdensome housing
supply costs are imposed or increased by a city on future homeowners,
the public should have the opportunity to adequately review and comment
before any vote is taken.
Another priority of the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and GSABA’s
was SB 15 which passed the Senate and House. This legislation took a
major step forward in addressing the state’s growing housing affordability
crisis. The bill was designed to remove large lot size requirements and
prevent cities from using restrictive building regulations, such as setbacks,
height and bulk limits to block housing construction. In a nutshell, the bill
eliminates city-imposed minimum lots sizes greater than 3,000 square feet
for new subdivisions in cities with populations less than 150,000 and counties
with 300,000+ residents.
We supported HB 23 that addressed third-party reviews of plats and
property development plans, permits, and inspections. The bill focused on
streamlining the development process and potentially expediting approvals
by granting property owners and developers the right to utilize qualified third
parties - like licensed engineers or certified inspectors - for these reviews
instead of relying solely on local government. As of May 26th, HB 23 the
Senate left this bill pending in committee. We will give you a full report on
J E F F K U W A M U R A
these key pieces of legislation in the July Builder
Brief.
In other news, the GSABA leadership team is
headed to Washington, DC next week to meet with
our Congressional delegation. NAHB has identified
three high-priority topics to address with lawmakers
during their annual Legislative Conference on June
11th:
•
Renewal of tax laws which will help consumers
and businesses
•
Reversing a disastrous energy code policy
that places homeownership out of reach
for families
•
Easing the chronic workforce shortage by
gaining co-sponsors for the CONSTRUCTS
Act in both the House and Senate
We will work hard to protect homeownership
and the homebuilding industry. Thank you for
your continued support. I hope to see you at the
Membership Mixer on Thursday, June 26th at Reece
Bath & Kitchen on Broadway!
Sincerely,
Jeff Kuwamura
BUILD YOUR LEGACY
Serve on the Board of Directors in 2026 The Greater San Antonio Builders Association is accepting nominations
to serve on the Board of Directors through August 31, 2025.
We encourage self nominations!
Submit your nomination
by August 31st
to ksutterfield@sabuilders.com
8 JUNE 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION