Legislative Priorities

Stay informed about the policies shaping the rental housing industry. Explore TAA’s legislative priorities and advocacy efforts, promoting fair and balanced laws that benefit both renters and property owners.

Advocating for a Stronger Rental Housing Industry in Texas.

As the only organization representing all aspects of the industry with a full-time presence at the Texas Capitol, TAA ensures the industry’s voice is heard on legislative and regulatory issues that impact property owners, developers, builders, and managers.

TAA’s advocacy supports both the industry and its residents by collaborating with stakeholders—including government agencies, resident groups, and advocacy organizations—to address challenges and drive consensus-based solutions.

Key achievements include establishing safety standards for residential housing, supporting affordable housing initiatives, and championing free-market policies to reform property tax administration. TAA also advocates for voluntary participation in government assistance programs and has led efforts to improve Texas’s civil justice system through tort reform.

TAA advocacy has strengthened Texas’s rental housing industry by promoting growth, innovation, and sustainability. It continues to support a thriving environment for residents, businesses, and communities across the state.

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Top Legislative Priorities

The Texas Apartment Association closely tracks legislative issues that impact the rental housing industry, with a focus on key priority bills that affect our members. Our government affairs team is actively engaged in monitoring legislation, advocating for policies that protect property owners and residents, and providing timely updates to our members.

SB 38 Signed into Law →

The Texas Apartment Association (TAA) is proud to announce a major legislative victory with the signing of Senate Bill 38—a transformative measure that strengthens the eviction process, addresses squatting and illegal occupancy, and ensures fairness and consistency for property owners across the state

Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 38 into law after months of advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and collaboration across the rental housing industry. The new law enhances due process while removing barriers that have long made eviction proceedings unnecessarily slow, unpredictable, and expensive for property owners.

Key Improvements Under SB 38:

  • CARES Act 30-Day Notice to Vacate (NTV) Runs Concurrently: The federal CARES Act notice no longer adds an extra 30 days to the Texas eviction process. The NTV clock runs at the same time as the state process.
  • Simplified Notice Delivery: SB 38 allows Notices to Vacate (NTV) to be delivered electronically if agreed to by the parties in addition to traditional methods. If the tenant appears in court, they waive any objection to how the notice was delivered.
  • Service of Process Improvements: If a constable does not serve a citation or writ within five business days, other law enforcement officers may be used to step in to complete service—helping avoid unnecessary delays.
  • Streamlined Process for Squatter Cases: The law creates an expedited summary disposition procedure to remove unauthorized occupants who do not have a valid lease or lawful claim to enter and remain on the property.
  • Mandatory Payments During Appeal: All tenants appealing an eviction judgment must pay into the court registry—either monthly rent or $250, whichever is greater—regardless of whether the appeal is for nonpayment of rent or another lease violation.
  • Faster Court Timelines: Both Justice Courts and County Courts at Law must now hold eviction trials within 21 days of the appeal or filing—reducing backlog and uncertainty for both sides.
  • Limits on Judicial Interference Post-Disaster: The Texas Supreme Court’s ability to pause or modify eviction proceedings after a disaster is restricted under this new law, preventing long-term disruption to property rights.
  • Effective Date: SB 38 goes into effect January 1, 2026. TAA will provide detailed guidance and resources to support compliance and implementation in the months ahead.

How We Got It Done

This important legislative win was led by Senator Paul Bettencourt, who authored the original bill, and Representative Angie Chen Button, who sponsored the Senate substitute. Their leadership—along with key support from Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick—was instrumental in moving the bill forward.

We are also deeply grateful to the TAA Legislative Committee, members who testified or contacted lawmakers, and our local affiliates who helped elevate the issue across the state. This victory reflects the power of unified advocacy.

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Affordability

TAA supported legislative measures to address housing affordability by increasing housing supply.  Streamlining the permitting and zoning processes and providing real estate professionals with additional flexibility will increase the state’s available housing supply and make housing more affordable for all Texans.   

  • SB 15 by Senator Paul Bettencourt will provide flexibility for home builders to build single family homes on less land than currently permitted by many municipalities. 
  • SB 840 by Senator Bryan Hughes will facilitate the construction and renovation of apartment buildings and mixed-use developments in areas currently designated for office, warehouse or other commercial uses.
  • SB 824 by Representative Angelina Orr will curtail the ability of property owners to block the construction of new homes or apartment buildings by raising the petition threshold to 60% and allowing local governments to approve rezoning by a simple majority.  

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Evictions/Squatters

  • Evictions should be consistent, efficient, and straightforward to resolve legal claims promptly.
  • Evictions are a last resort and necessary to regain possession when rent is unpaid, or lease terms are violated.
  • Squatters pose unique threats; Texas needs expedited processes to protect property owners and communities.

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Property Owner/Resident Relations

TAA supports balanced, reasonable approaches to landlord-tenant issues—promoting housing stability, responsible management, and property rights. Our HUD-recognized lease provides clarity and consistency for both property owners and residents, and we always encourage open communication when issues arise.

In the 89th Legislative Session, 108 landlord/tenant bills were filed. Thanks to TAA’s advocacy, most did not pass—a strong win for the industry. Below is a summary of those that reached the Governor’s desk:

House Bills

  • HB 47 – Lease termination for victims of sexual assault: This was a priority bill of Speaker Burrows, as indicated by its low bill number. HB 47 removes the requirement that a qualifying incident for lease termination take place “on the premises or any dwelling of the premises.” It did not remove the preceding six-month time frame, nor the documentation requirements that must still be provided for lease termination. Effective Date: 9/1/25.  
  • HB 2037 – Repair and remedy requirements; security deposit communications: HB 2037 requires that, if a resident coordinates repairs to a unit, the work must be done by an independent contractor meeting all appropriate licensing requirements under municipal or county regulations. It also establishes email as an allowable form of communication regarding security deposits, provided the resident and property owner or agent have previously communicated this way. HB 2037 also applies to manufactured housing units. Effective Date: 9/1/25.

Senate Bills

  • SB 17 – Leasing to citizens of China, North Korea, Iran, or Russia: A priority for both Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows this session. The bill includes provisions prohibiting the sale or lease of real property to citizens of specific countries; however, lease terms under 12 months are exempted from these prohibitions. Effective Date: 9/1/25.
  • SB 38 – Eviction reform: This TAA-backed bill streamlines evictions and creates a process for property owners to remove occupants who unlawfully gained access. Click here to view the full article on SB 38 on our website. Effective Date: 01/01/26. 
  • SB 1333 – Criminal law process for removing squatters: Creates a process for removing squatters by utilizing harsher criminal penalties for trespassing. While SB 1333 does not deal with the civil process such as SB 38 does, the bills passed together help create a more effective method for dealing with squatting. Effective Date: 9/1/25.
  • SB 1283 – Resident safety in senior retirement communities: Applies to properties qualifying for the elderly exemption under the Texas Fair Housing Act with at least 20 units and common amenities/services. Properties must conduct background checks on all employees and establish a safety communications plan to alert residents about criminal activity or trespassing. However, the bill includes civil and criminal liability immunity for failure to execute these measures. Effective Date: 9/1/25.
  • SB 1567 – Home-rule municipality regulation of dwelling units: Prevents cities with populations under 250,000 and an institution of higher education with more than 20,000 students from enacting ordinances that limit occupancy in rental units based on age, occupation, familial status, or relationship among occupants. Effective Date: 9/1/25.
  • SB 2349 – Flood plain disclosure requirements: Exempts flood plain lease disclosures from leasebacks and lease terms under 30 days. Also allows required disclosures for longer leases to be included either as an addendum or within the lease itself. Effective Date: 9/1/25. 

Other Noteworthy Bill

  • SB 790 – Resident complaint process at the PUC: Requests the Public Utility Commission to adopt a simplified complaint process for resolving utility-related complaints filed by residents. Effective Date: 9/1/25. 

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Property Taxes

Property taxes are a key element of housing affordability.  TAA supported measures passed by the 89th Legislature to reduce property taxes and enhance the transparency of not only how property taxes are levied but how citizens can contest valuations and participate in the rate making process. 

  • SB 4 by Senator Paul Bettencourt raises the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000.
  • HB 9 by Representative Morgan Meyer will exempt up to $125,000 of a businesses’ inventory from property taxes.
  • SB 1025 by Senator Paul Bettencourt will require any tax measures proposed on a ballot to include “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE”.
  • SB 973 by Senator Sarah Eckhardt will require appraisal districts to appraise property at market value each year.
  • HB 1533 by Representative Angie Chen Button introduces several reforms to the appraisal review board process for property taxes including required training, required websites and rights of appeal. 

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For more information on our legislative priorities or to ask questions, please contact us at govtaffairs@taa.org.