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argue that without increased
budgets, they will not be able
to maintain services at
satisfactory levels. The State
of Texas is Constitutionally
required to balance its
biennial budget, and the
Governor hopes to extend
this requirement to cities.
With the Texas Legislature
back in session this summer,
the home building community
has an opportunity to claim
Governor Greg Abbott
a few more victories in 2017.
These issues affect all of our members’ businesses. For the most
up to date news on the Legislature, subscribe to the Texas
Association of Builders’ Legislative Line in the Advocacy & Action
Center at texasbuilders.org. Also tune in to sabuilders.com
government affairs blog for analysis of the impact to the San
Texas Legislature Antonio area.

One of Gov. Abbott’s requirements that the Legislature take up
Returns to Austin is reigning in local regulations - specifically mentioning tree
regulation and rights determination. The homebuilding industry
prioritized the following bills:
for a Special Session House Bill 1449

Prohibits cities from charging “linkage” fees as a
The Texas Legislature meets during odd numbered years for
140 days with the sole requirement of passing the State’s budget mechanism to fund city-guided affordable housing
projects, was signed by the Governor on May 29. The bill is
for the next 2 years. However, if the Legislature fails to address a big win for keeping housing affordable and ensuring
key concerns as identified by the Governor, he can call them
back to Austin for a Special Session in order to pass additional that cities work with builders and developers to find
creative solutions to housing concerns without punishing
legislation. The Governor alone can set the agenda for a special all new construction with targeted taxes.
session of the Legislature, by naming specific bills or issues that
need resolution. Senate Bill 744
In a press conference on June 6, Governor Greg Abbott
announced a Special Session of the Texas Legislature that will This bill improved the credit that developers can claim
convene on July 18. Legislators will meet for 30 days. Included in when removing and replanting trees in cities with tree
Abbott’s 19 agenda items were some Texas Association of ordinances. SB744 was passed in both chambers but
Builders (TAB) priorities.
ultimately vetoed by Gov. Abbot, who stated that the bill
Gov. Abbott demanded that the Legislature produce changes didn’t go far enough to protect home owners. This issue
in property tax laws and cities’ ability to annex outlying areas. will be addressed again during the Special Session.
This is part of a school finance overhaul and a tax relief push by
Gov. Abbott, which he has signaled as two of his priorities since House Bill 1704
he was elected in 2014. This legislation will be contentious, as
property taxes and school finance are intricately linked and This bill levels the playing field between developers and
create divisions among economic, geographic, and social lines. cities and enables our industry to collect attorney’s fees in
One of the more ambitious requests of Gov. Abbott was a bill suits against municipalities that abuse vested rights, was
or Constitutional Amendment to require that state and local signed by the Governor on May 29. This kind of legal
governments in Texas cap the growth of their budgets by a matter has increased in recent years and HB1704 will
measure of the increase in population plus inflation. This prevent cities from appealing cases until the developer
agenda item will be fiercely opposed by the cities in Texas, who runs out of money or quits pursuing the issue.
8 July 2017 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION