Texas Chicken Laws - Submit to State Senators/Representatives

[Pepper2020]

All,

This is a repost from last year, but a reminder and updated attachment. I have made a similar post in the Texas Section.

As many of you are aware we have almost had a chicken bill passed in Texas for the past two legislative sessions, only for them to stall in committee or on the floor. The only way that this stops is by getting a bill started early and making it a priority for your representative. In 2019, our last legislative session the bill was held up by our representatives not wanting to give the folks in HOAs' and POAs' the same rights as those in municipalities. I have drafted the attached bill to submit to my representative, this modifies the bill that died on the floor in 2019. While this does not grant blanket rights it seems to be a compromise that most of us could live with.

To make this happen we need to have everyone contact their representative and make this an issue for them. If you are in Texas and don't know who you representative is I have included a link: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

While, some of the representatives may change in the upcoming election it is never to early to start sending these requests to them on a weekly/monthly basis. The more they hear from us the more likely they are to prioritize this issue.

Thank you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

" our last legislative session the bill was held up by our representatives not wanting to give the folks in HOAs' and POAs' the same rights as those in municipalities. " is a curious way of describing the legal situation.

Displacing existing contracts between communities and property owners retroactively, and prospectively preventing impairment of a newly codified right are two radically different approaches. The first, in addition to raising concerns with lawmakers which helped to table the bill is also subject to innumerous legal challenges once the bill is signed into law. The second faces no such hurdles.

While I am no longer a TX resident, I suggest you are making the perfect the enemy of the good. Get last year's bill passed, respecting the rights of those already HOA/POA property owners, THEN focus on nibbling away at significant representative HOA/POA bodies, starting with those large lot POAs in areas zoned AG.

A humble strategy suggestion from an interested party, which you should feel free to disregard.

 

[Pepper2020]

" our last legislative session the bill was held up by our representatives not wanting to give the folks in HOAs' and POAs' the same rights as those in municipalities. " is a curious way of describing the legal situation.

Displacing existing contracts between communities and property owners retroactively, and prospectively preventing impairment of a newly codified right are two radically different approaches. The first, in addition to raising concerns with lawmakers which helped to table the bill is also subject to innumerous legal challenges once the bill is signed into law. The second faces no such hurdles.

While I am no longer a TX resident, I suggest you are making the perfect the enemy of the good. Get last year's bill passed, respecting the rights of those already HOA/POA property owners, THEN focus on nibbling away at significant representative HOA/POA bodies, starting with those large lot POAs in areas zoned AG.

A humble strategy suggestion from an interested party, which you should feel free to disregard.

I agree that it is an uphill battle on the HOA/POA front. Although, inside Texas Code there have been some recent codes (in the past 2-3 legislative sessions) added that specifically revoke some deed restrictions and HOA/POA covenants. While it is a strech it is one avenue of purusing the end goal. The proposed language does actually cover seperately the municipalities and the HOA/POA. That was how it moved forward last time, but died on the Senate floor (never came to a vote).

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The 2015 Omnibus bill (back when I was in TX, and lived in an HOA controlled community) - made a bunch of changes, yes - mostly clarifying the mess they made in 2013, and adding some reporting obligations/member inspection rights to the books. I recall, and could quickly find reference to no, changes obviating prior covenants and restrictions on land use.

Perhaps you had some other bill in mind?

In any event, good luck. You have my strategy recommendations, as someone who has helped write, rewrite, alter, modify, support, and oppose legislative changes (on a different subject) in most of the states of the US, plus two foreign countries - China and Brazil (twice). I was not always successful.

 

[Grobleben]

All,

This is a repost from last year, but a reminder and updated attachment. I have made a similar post in the Texas Section.

As many of you are aware we have almost had a chicken bill passed in Texas for the past two legislative sessions, only for them to stall in committee or on the floor. The only way that this stops is by getting a bill started early and making it a priority for your representative. In 2019, our last legislative session the bill was held up by our representatives not wanting to give the folks in HOAs' and POAs' the same rights as those in municipalities. I have drafted the attached bill to submit to my representative, this modifies the bill that died on the floor in 2019. While this does not grant blanket rights it seems to be a compromise that most of us could live with.

To make this happen we need to have everyone contact their representative and make this an issue for them. If you are in Texas and don't know who you representative is I have included a link: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

While, some of the representatives may change in the upcoming election it is never to early to start sending these requests to them on a weekly/monthly basis. The more they hear from us the more likely they are to prioritize this issue.

Thank you!

I am highly motivated. Give me an idea what I CAN DO TO HELP? This is my list of representatives. Should I WRITE THEM, or try to get face to face?

 

[ChickenRoper1]

We Need the help of all Texans to call their Senator and ask for their support of the HB 1686. See below for info on the bill and how to contact your Senator. Please help those of us who are fighting their HOA and City Municipalities.

HB 1686, the Home Food Security Act, has passed the Texas House by a vote of 143-1! Now the Senate must pass the bill for it to be sent to the Governor to become law!

HB 1686 says that municipalities and HOA’s can’t prohibit you from having up to 6 laying hens, 6 rabbits, (with no more than a total of 8 ) or a front yard garden. It also says that HOA’s can’t prohibit your cottage food operation. Reasonable regulations for noise and odor control are part of this bill – and no roosters.

We all saw the breakdowns in the food supply chain this past year. COVID. Meat-packing plants shut down. The Great Freeze in February with empty grocery shelves and lines out the doors. We can increase our food security if we can produce food for our families on land that we already own.
CALL:
Find out who your Texas State Senator is by entering your address at this link:
https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
Click on the name that is “Texas Senate District XX”. Their phone number starts with 512-463-XXXX.
OR you can just call the Capitol Switchboard at 512-463-4630 and give the operator your address and ask to be connected to your Senator.
(Don’t call Ted Cruz or John Cornyn, they are our US Senators and can’t help with this!)
Call that number above, and when the staff person answers the phone, say: “Hi, my name is _____ and I am a constituent. I am c
alling to ask Senator ____ to vote YES on HB 1686. It has already passed the House.

You can add a sentence or two about why the bill is important to you: be concise. This is the busiest time of session, so shorter is better!

Read the bill (click the Text tab, choose House Committee Report):
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx…

 

[Grace Grace]

Hi, we are having really bad issues with our two neighbors on either side of us. They have hanged up on us. My child four hens which are considered emotional support animals. They have been legally approved by our HOA due us getting the proper signatures. However we’ve had threats made against us, destruction of property, and now one of these neighbors is running for the HOA board. We know why. He will be able to read all medical documentation of my son and our situation and will discriminate against us. I know the bill again didn’t pass. I reached out to Rep. White, who originally wrote the first bill. I will also be reaching out to my TX state reps. I truly want this bill to be write. Again and I am happy to drive to Austin for weeks with my kids and lobby them. We are under so much stress from them that we are avidly seeking a move. We love our home though. We are afraid they will try to take us to court. I’m hoping their legal council will remain steady and advise him (if he wins the position) to not pursue a a civil suit. Are there people still following this site or is there a group of people fighting for a chicken bill together. With maker food shortages coming our way, I feel most would support this.

 

[ninafe]

Hi, we are having really bad issues with our two neighbors on either side of us. They have hanged up on us. My child four hens which are considered emotional support animals. They have been legally approved by our HOA due us getting the proper signatures. However we’ve had threats made against us, destruction of property, and now one of these neighbors is running for the HOA board. We know why. He will be able to read all medical documentation of my son and our situation and will discriminate against us. I know the bill again didn’t pass. I reached out to Rep. White, who originally wrote the first bill. I will also be reaching out to my TX state reps. I truly want this bill to be write. Again and I am happy to drive to Austin for weeks with my kids and lobby them. We are under so much stress from them that we are avidly seeking a move. We love our home though. We are afraid they will try to take us to court. I’m hoping their legal council will remain steady and advise him (if he wins the position) to not pursue a a civil suit. Are there people still following this site or is there a group of people fighting for a chicken bill together. With maker food shortages coming our way, I feel most would support this.

Following this! I live in Houston in a HOA governed area. We have four pullets that we like to register as emotional support animal.