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The North Dallas Neighborhood Alliance is one of the members of the
state-wide organization of neighborhood association umbrella groups,
TEXAS NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER, and we join in concern about
those bills being considered by our State Legislature this session which have
relevance to our members. We are highlighting four issues about
which we would encourage you to call/email/or phone
your respective State Senator or Representative.
To find out who represents you in Austin, go to
www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us and just fill in your address—their complete
information will appear.
1) One of the issues of general importance is that of
recorded votes. Texas is one of only nine states that does
not routinely require recorded votes. Under current Texas rules, a
recorded vote only occurs when a legislator, supported by at least two
colleagues, requests a record of the vote. A request for a recorded
vote has occurred on only about half of all votes of the Legislature, leaving
citizens in the dark about how their elected officials handled many critically
important issues. State legislators tout “accountability” of government at
every opportunity, yet they are surprisingly unwilling to apply this concept to
themselves. Texas voters have the right to track their elected
officials’ decisions. PLEASE INSIST THAT OUR TEXAS SENATE AND
HOUSE REQUIRE RECORDED VOTES.
2) WE ENCOURAGE SUPPORT OF SB 444 AND THE COMPANION HB 133.
These bills would prohibit a person from filing or having recorded in the county
clerk’s office an instrument conveying real property under contract for sale
unless the instrument discloses the sales price of the property. Again,
Texas is one of only 5 states which does not mandate sales price disclosure.
This puts residential property in a category where sales prices are almost
always transparent (the appraisal districts have access to multiple listing
data) but where commercial property has been allowed sales price “secrecy.”
Anyone doing research on the appraisal websites soon finds out how “skewed” the
property values and therefore taxation is on many commercial properties.
These bills would mandate a new fairness in the way all properties are valued.
Click here for the SB 344's web page on the 81st Legislature's Web Site
Click here for the HB 133's web page on the 81st Legislature's Web Site
3) WE SUPPORT HB 547. This bill would prohibit
lawsuits against those complaining to a governmental or quasi-governmental
entity before final action on a complaint. Suits like SLAPP suits have
been used as a harassment tool against neighborhood associations by developers
and others and this would make these suits more difficult. A Strategic Lawsuit
Against Public Participation suit typically involves the environment--for
example, local residents who are petitioning to change zoning laws to prevent a
real estate development might be sued in a SLAPP suit for interference with the
developer's business interests. Many states have "anti-SLAPP suit" statutes that
protect citizens' rights to free speech and to petition the government.
Click here for the HB 547's web page on the 81st Legislature's Web Site
4) We Oppose HB 371. This bill addresses the
dissolution of property owners’ associations. It would require only a 25%
signatory to force a vote on dissolution and would not address how any common
property would be disposed of if there was dissolution.
Click here for the HB 371's web page on the 81st Legislature's Web Site
Please check
www.texasneighborhoods.org/action.html to read about other bills which would
affect neighborhood associations and to get further details about the above
bills. WRITE, CALL, or EMAIL to register your thoughts with those that
represent you.
NDNA is very concerned about
what happens in Austin that
affects HOA's, as well as
issues of local interest.
The link to the Texas
Legislature is:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us
For more see
Texas Neighborhoods
Together on our web site.
Do you know who represents you or
need their contact information? See:
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
The above link will provide you with contact information for: Texas U.S. Representative,
Texas State Senator, Texas State Representative, and your Texas State Board of Education Member.
Texas' current U.S. Senators are
Senator John Cornyn and
Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison. See their websites for current contact information.
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