By: Simmons, Workman, Paddie, Fallon, et al. H.B. No. 1449
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting local governments from imposing certain
fees on new construction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that:
(1) fees and exactions imposed by political
subdivisions to fund subsidized housing materially increase the
cost of housing construction and other forms of construction in the
state; and
(2) it is in the state's interest to incentivize
housing affordability for Texas residents by circumscribing
regulatory burdens imposed on the housing industry by political
subdivisions.
SECTION 2. Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 250.008 to read as follows:
Sec. 250.008. LINKAGE FEES PROHIBITED. (a) A political
subdivision may not adopt or enforce a charter provision,
ordinance, order, or other regulation that imposes, directly or
indirectly, a fee on new construction for the purposes of
offsetting the cost or rent of any unit of residential housing.
(b) This section does not apply to:
(1) an affordable housing and property tax abatement
program:
(A) in existence on January 1, 2017;
(B) adopted under Chapter 378 by a municipality
with a population of more than 700,000; and
(C) for which eligibility is maintained as
required under Chapter 312, Tax Code;
(2) a residential density bonus program in which a
zoning waiver is issued for a voluntary fee payment; or
(3) the voluntary provision of affordable housing or
other defined public benefit.
(c) A charter provision, ordinance, order, or other
regulation adopted by a political subdivision that conflicts with
this section is null and void.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act does not apply
to an agreement relating to providing subsidized housing entered
into before the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2017.