Download full version: TNT's 2011 Legislative Agenda (Adobe Reader Required)

Priority Package Summary

Municipal Authority

Support, protect and enhance local governmental authority with regard to:

• zoning (including authority to regulate commercial development on
  state-owned land)
• amortization of undesirable uses
• notification process for incompatible uses in and near neighborhoods
• protection of historic neighborhoods and structures
• enforcement of health, safety, and nuisance ordinances
• defense of deed restrictions

Texas Neighborhoods Together will oppose all bills that would deny or restrict any of these powers, including removing the municipal regulation exception of the 1995 property rights legislation.

Property Owner and Homeowner Associations

Support public policies that preserve and protect the long-term continuity of property owner and homeowner associations, that support and encourage the volunteers who serve them, and oppose policies that disregard the collective interests of the property owners who comprise their memberships.

Energy and Water Conservation

Empower neighborhoods to adopt local community standards that allow and encourage energy and water conservation.

Water Utility Rate-Making Authority

Support a transfer of the utility rate-making authority for water from the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the Public Utility Commission (PUC)

Deter SLAPP Suits

Amend state law to deter lawsuits against organizations and individuals that are designed to discourage or penalize their involvement in civic affairs ("Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation").

Public Disclosure of Real Estate Sales Prices

Amend current law to require public disclosure of real estate sales prices. Because such information is almost universally known for residential properties, a disproportionate tax liability is borne by homeowners because such information necessary for fair and accurate appraisals is not disclosed in other real estate sectors.

Support Package Summary

Deed Restriction Amendments

Adopt state law that makes it easier for neighborhoods to amend their deed restrictions by reducing the common requirement of approval by a super majority to a simple majority.

Alcohol Issues

Enhance the ability of neighborhoods to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol-serving businesses.

Notification

Improve neighborhood protection by requiring state and local governments to notify property owners within 400 feet of incompatible uses that are proposed to be placed in and near neighborhoods.

Homeowner Insurance Reform

Provide protection for homeowners through the Texas Department of Insurance to preclude the use of private credit records to determine insurance rates, to require insurance companies to attain approval and justify rate increases before they go into effect, and to require insurers to disclose how they set the rate.

County Authority

• Grant counties the authority to adapt building codes and to regulate certain noxious land uses in areas outside the limits of an incorporated city.
• Grant certain counties regulatory authority around military facilities in limited circumstances and provide notice to prospective buyers.
• Grant certain counties regulatory authority to establish thoroughfare plans that interconnect neighborhoods to alleviate hazardous access points on highways and roads.

Recorded Votes

Reform rules of the Texas House and Senate to require the public disclosure of each lawmaker's vote at every stage of the legislative process.

Regulation of Group Homes for Elderly and Disabled Residents

Monitor cities' development of regulations for group homes for elderly and disabled residents as permitted by H.B. 216 in order to determine whether additional legislation is needed.