THE HOME BUILDER
October 2025
Page Two
The HomeFront Government Affairs News and Info
David Lehde Director of Government Affairs
So Long Summer, Hello Advocacy
As the calendar turns to Fall and we await the cooler weather and changes in the leaves, there is still plenty to do on the industry advocacy front. So, before you dig out your favorite sweater, pour yourself some pumpkin spiced whatever and pick your way through these government relations updates. Dallas BA Monitoring Local Ordinance Changes The Dallas Builders Association continues to monitor and weigh in on local ordinance changes. The ef- fort, always ongoing, is to help avoid delays, needless cost increases, and to advocate that ordinances be drafted within statutory guidelines. The City of Dallas is currently discussing amendments to the mu- nicipality’s park land dedication and fee-in-lieu ordinance. Dallas BA is monitoring this process closely as it can impact multifamily development costs. The update comes, in part, due to state law that resulted from HB 1526 during the 88th Texas Legislature. The statute applies to only five mu - nicipalities in Texas, due to population language. It requires land dedications, fee assessments or the combination of both, to be derived by either a calcula- tion based upon a formula that utilizes appraisal districts land values and development dwelling units, or a flat per unit cost that does not exceed 2% of the median family income (AMFI). The final legislation was focused on multifamily, hotel and motel uses. Single-family was written out of the bill and, due to definitions in the stat - ute that trigger the ability to use one of the abovementioned calculations, the statute does not have the effect of removing the need to show “propor- tionality” for single-family assessment as required by a history of Supreme Court and subsequent court decisions. Dallas has proposed using the AMFI basis for calculation, and now it is a matter of what percentage of the AMFI they settle on. The city has shown a concern regarding housing affordability during these discussions. In Celina, the City Council will soon hold a hearing related to amend-
ments to the municipality’s architec- tural amendments. Dallas BA has weighed in with the city’s Planning and Zoning Com- mission. Dallas BA’s focus is pro- tecting the property owner’s right to choose materials, which is also the focus of state law. Chapter 3000 of the Texas Gov- ernment Code prohibits a government entity from adopting or enforcing a regulation that “prohibits, directly or indirectly, the use or installation of a building product or material in the construction, renovation, maintenance or other alteration of a residential or commercial building if the building product or material is approved for use by a national model code published within the last three code cycles that applies to the construction, renova- tion, maintenance or other alteration of the building.” (Tex. Gov. Code Sec. 3000.002 (1)) The statute also prohibits es- tablishing a standard for an aesthetic method that is more stringent than standards under a national model code in the last three code cycles. Dallas BA will continue to moni- tor and weigh in on these and other ordinances. Members with questions should contact the Association’s Direc- Dallas BA members recently had opportunities to visit with some of our service area’s elected officials. Just prior to the Association’s State of the Industry on September 19, Dallas BA hosted a meet-and-greet where members visited various mem- bers of county commissioners court to city councils. This also provided the elected officials with real world feed - back from those who provide homes in their districts. In a follow-up to Dallas BA’s na- tional legislative conference congres- sional meetings, held in Washington, D.C. in June, Association members and staff met with U.S. Representative Keith Self (TX-3) on Sept.22 in his Texas district office. We appreciate Congressman Self’s interest in the challenges home building faces as it relates to construction trades educa- tor of Government Affairs . Dallas BA Members Visit with Area Elected Officials
Dallas BA Members and staff meet with U.S. Representative Keith Self on Sept. 22 to discuss energy code policy, construction trades educa - tion, labor shortages and housing affordability. From left are Meredith Joyce, Tim Jackson, Matt Walls, U.S. Representative Keith Self, David Lehde, Landon Hood and Gena Godinez
Proposition 1 on the November Ballot Would Provide Needed Funding for Job Training at Technical Colleges As often happens after legisla- tive sessions, Texans will have an opportunity to vote on propositions resulting from this year’s legislative sessions. Proposition 1 provides Texas State Technical College (TSTC) with funds to expand job-training programs and help meet the needs of today’s workforce. The funding, $850 from the state’s general revenue, would support capital needs of TSTC, including facil- ity expansion, land acquisition, and modern equipment purchases. Skilled trades are important to home building. Election Day Is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Dallas BA members who plan to attend the November TAB board meet- ings should consider early voting, as part of the board meetings fall on Nov. 4. Early voting begins on Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. Voter registration status and information on polling locations is available at www.votetexas.gov. “The power of one man or one woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society.”
tion, energy code policies and housing affordability. Industry Supported Legislation for Impact Fee Credits Gets Legislative Approval A priority piece of legislation, supported by the Texas Association of Builders, met legislative approval in the second special session and has been signed by Governor Abbott. Senate Bill 14, by Senator Charles Perry, with support in the House by Representative Cecil Bell, creates an incentive for builders and developers to use systems or products that conserve water by creating credit towards water and wastewater impact fees. The legislation recognizes that when builders and developers install water conservation systems, they should receive credits or reduction for the amount of water or wastewater conserved. The new law will be effec - tive on Jan.1, 2026. TAB has been tireless in their advocacy for the industry. Next Government Relations Com- mittee Meeting — Oct. 15 The next meeting of the Dallas BA Government Relations Committee (GRC) will be Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 9 a.m. The October GRC meeting will be held at the Dallas BA office. GRC meetings are open to all Dallas BA members. Members inter- ested in participating should contact the director of government affairs at David.Lehde@DallasBuilders.com.
– Jack Kemp, United States Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development (1989-1993) and U.S. House of Representatives (1971-1989)
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