Big news in TEXAS this week!

[Kiki]

I am a legal assistant for a Lawfirm. I asked one of the attorneys about this and the answer was simple. If the law changes after the signing of a contract or agreement with the HOA, the state law will prevail. That is why most contacts you sign in Texas have a severability clause. Once the law changes, that portion of the contract becomes void and the rest remains in tact.

The short of it is that if passed, this bill will prevent anyone in Texas, HOAs included, from restricting to less than 6 backyard hens.

Thank you.

 

[Kiki]

 

[Wandercreek]

This bill doesn't affect me in the least, but as a fellow Texan, I'll help y'all out and ask my rep to support it.

 

[happybooker1]

I know the legislators wanted to keep it simple but I wish the bill read "6 chickens OR 10 Bantams" for instance. Since we know Banties aren't the same size as "regular" chickens.

 

[TxAg11]

That's what I figured.
Called my rep (again) yesterday. A member of his staff in Austin answered and took down notes on my favor of the bill and why. Apparently he hasn't looked at it yet because it's not on the block for voting just yet. Idk, political stuff... hopefully if enough people call he will have a good idea of what it's about before he even gets to read the bill

Call your rep! It doesn't take more than a minute, folks!

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx

 

[KKansas]

I contacted both of my reps today--asked for either clarification of "political subdivision" = HOA or reword the bill before it is passed in the House to include HOA. I am getting so many mixed messages. Seems to me that anyone has to follow Texas Law--HOA or other wise. Just to dumb down the argument, an HOA can't say, "it's ok to murder people in this subdivision"--murder is against the law. Now, my HOA restricts how many domestic pets I can have (yes, that's right, I'm only allowed 2!!???---I have 7), but there is not a Texas law that discusses how many pets I can have. That is HOA prerogative. HOA says I cannot paint my house purple, again, no Texas law discussing this. There is a Texas law that says you cannot drink under the age of 21, HOA cannot change that. Right??!!
Just wanted to check in and see if anyone has any more clarification on this. We have an attorney looking into it, but does agree the language is vague.

 

[KKansas]

AND--if it does include HOA--how do I prove it to them??

 

[Penelope49]

SB 1620 (backyard chicken bill) is in Urban Affairs committee. It was introduced yesterday and left pending. Please contact members of committee to please support this bill to move it to the House floor for a vote. I emailed several members today. If they don't support the bill it gets left behind.

 

[TxAg11]

In case you think your voice doesn't matter:
Yesterday I recieved a letter from my representative personally thanking me for taking the time to reach out to him and politely discuss the advantages of backyard chickens. He will be voting in favor of backyard chickens when the bill comes to the House floor (and he represents Sugar Land, a "master planned community" where the HOA is a constant menace).

That being said, don't forget to call your rep!

If they're a republican, appeal to the conservative idea of self reliance.
If they're a democrat, appeal to their sense of progressivism and empowerment.

Be polite, concise, and informative.

 

[Kiki]

In case you think your voice doesn't matter:
Yesterday I recieved a letter from my representative personally thanking me for taking the time to reach out to him and politely discuss the advantages of backyard chickens. He will be voting in favor of backyard chickens when the bill comes to the House floor (and he represents Sugar Land, a "master planned community" where the HOA is a constant menace).

That being said, don't forget to call your rep!

If they're a republican, appeal to the conservative idea of self reliance.
If they're a democrat, appeal to their sense of progressivism and empowerment.

Be polite, concise, and informative.

Care to post the wording you used?