DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION DEFECT LITIGATION

As a leader in this area, TxA continues to champion legislation intended to reduce lawsuits alleging unfounded design and construction defects.

Right to Repair Accrual Date 
HB 1922 by Rep. Jay Dean et al. (R–Longview)
Clarifies when the statute of limitations begins for certain construction defect claims. Establishes a uniform accrual date for defect claims, ensuring that all parties understand when the statute of limitations begins.

HOUSING ATTAINABILITY & AFFORDABILITY

We are committed to supporting efforts to improve housing affordability and availability, and to increase housing options for all Texans. Architects are uniquely qualified to advise on land development policy and address housing attainability through intentional design.

Starter Homes/Greenfield Development 
SB 15 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) 
Removes barriers to the development of starter homes by setting a minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet for greenfield developments of five acres or more in Texas’ largest cities.

Commercial to Residential 
SB 840 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) 
Applies statewide zoning requirements for commercial to mixed-use and multifamily residential conversion in Texas’ largest cities.

Office to Residential
SB 2477 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) 
Applies statewide zoning requirements for residential conversion in order to unlock opportunities for mixed-use and multifamily housing development in unused and unoccupied office spaces.

Valid Petition Reform  
HB 24 by Rep. Angelia Orr (R-Hillsboro) 
Reforms procedures for changes to a zoning regulation or district boundary by raising the protest threshold from 20% to 60% and repealing the 75% supermajority rule for rezoning votes.

Single Stair Reform 
SB 2835 by Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas)
Diversifies the type of multifamily residential housing permitted across the state by allowing the use of single stair design in certain residential buildings up to six stories.

SCHOOL SAFETY

TxA engages and supports legislation to continue to improve the safety and security of Texas schools. Through our ongoing work to promote best practice standards for the design and construction of school facilities, we are committed to providing the best guidance possible on how school districts and charter schools might improve safety in existing facilities and in the design of new facilities – while maintaining open and positive learning environments.

School Safety Allotment Increase  
SB 260 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) 
This bill increases school safety allotment funding, raising per student funding from $10 to $20 and per-campus funding from $15,000 to $33,540.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY

We advocate for policies that improve durability of infrastructure and encourage high performance buildings through design practices that prioritize energy and water conservation and produce resilient environments that can recover from adverse events.

SECO Energy & Water Codes 
SB 783 by Sen. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio)
SB 783, a refile from last session, clarifies that the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) may adopt updated energy efficiency and water conservation codes.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

We support policies and programs that seek to preserve, restore, and maintain buildings significant to the history and culture of Texas, and continue to support funding for Texas’ courthouse preservation program.

This session, $100 million was appropriated to the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program through the state budget.

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

TxA supports the use of surplus budget funds to establish programs that rebuild and repair aging water infrastructure, improve public school facilities, and establish funding programs for community colleges and universities.

$2.5 billion was appropriated to the Texas Water Fund as part of the budget process this session.