In addition to RECA’s work at the local and regional levels, RECA works to advance our members’ interests at the Texas Capitol during legislative sessions. We work with members across both political parties and across the state to make our members’ voices heard and work toward making Texas the most commercial real estate-friendly state it can be. For questions about RECA’s involvement at the Legislature, please contact Alina Carnahan, RECA VP of Advocacy.
88th Legislature (2023)
RECA leadership is finalizing the RECA agenda for the 88th legislative session (2023). Once the legislative priorities are approved, they will be published here.
In addition to priority legislation, RECA is tracking bills that may affect Central Texas and the commercial real estate industry as they are filed.
The feed below shows the bills that RECA is currently following in the 88th legislative session. It will be updated as more bills are filed throughout the session. A bill’s place on this list does not indicate RECA’s position on the bill. For questions about any of the below bills or the 88th legislative session, please contact Alina Carnahan.
87th Legislature (2021)
During the 87th legislative session (2021), RECA’s advocacy was central to the passage of SB 1585 and HB 1475. Both bills passed by overwhelming margins.
SB 1585 protected property owners by ensuring that if their property was being included in a historic district against their will, the historic commission must have a supermajority vote in favor of the designation.
HB 1475 expanded the definition of “hardship” for Board of Adjustment variances to allow municipalities more flexibility in granting variances.
In addition to working towards the passage of RECA priority legislation, RECA closely monitored nearly 800 bills, advocating for the passage of bills which would improve the commercial real estate landscape in Central Texas, as well as advocating for defeat of other bills that would have been detrimental to the industry.
86th Legislature (2019)
At the 86th legislative session (2019), RECA was instrumental in the passage of HB 2496 and HB 2497.
HB 2496 ensured that property owners whose property was being zoned as historic against their will would need to get a supermajority of the historic commission’s vote to be designated as historic. HB 2497 improved clarity for individuals who brought their property to the Board of Adjustment for an appeal by limiting who can file an appeal to those who have a vested interest in the property.
