As the 2025 Texas legislative session hits its midpoint, housing legislation is taking center stage. With skyrocketing home prices, a shortage of affordable units, and increasing pressure on local zoning codes, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are pushing forward with proposals to expand housing access, strengthen safety standards, and modernize development tools.
Below is your comprehensive update on major housing-related bills that are currently moving through committees or chambers. We’ve included background, key details, and the latest status for each bill. Whether you’re tracking policy for your organization or looking to get involved, here’s what you need to know this month. We’ve highlighted where testimony was provided and noted where industry partners like TAAHP have weighed in with support.
SB 583 (Sen. West) — Public Land Inventory for Affordable Housing
Requires cities over 25,000 residents and counties over 50,000 to annually identify and publish publicly owned land suitable for affordable housing. Local governments must review the list at a public hearing, adopt it by resolution, and post it online. The goal is to increase transparency and support development of affordable housing on underused public land.
Status: Reported favorably out of Senate Local Government Committee on March 18, 2025. Awaiting placement on Senate calendar. TAAHP submitted a card in support.
SB 578 (Sen. West) — Security Cameras at LIHTC Properties
Requires the installation of security cameras at new housing tax credit properties and, under certain conditions, at existing properties. Applies specifically to urban areas where crime and resident safety are heightened concerns. Compliance for existing buildings is delayed until 2030.
Status: Passed full Senate on April 2, 2025. Received in House on April 3, 2025; awaiting committee referral.
SB 731 (Sen. Miles) — Water Pressure for Seniors in LIHTC Properties
Requires booster systems at senior-serving LIHTC properties with more than four stories to ensure consistent water pressure. The bill emerged in response to problems during Winter Storm Uri, when seniors living in upper floors of multifamily buildings lost access to running water during an outage. Compliance for existing buildings is delayed until 2030.
Status: Placed on Senate Intent Calendar on April 7, 2025. Not scheduled for Senate floor debate on April 9; still eligible for scheduling. TAAHP provided testimony.
SB 732 (Sen. Miles) — Backup Power for Elevators and Cooling in Senior Housing
Requires that senior-serving LIHTC properties have backup power systems capable of operating at least one elevator and providing cooling during power outages. This measure is a companion to SB 731 and addresses risks faced by elderly residents during storms and extreme heat.
Status: Placed on Senate Intent Calendar on April 7, 2025. Not scheduled for April 9; still eligible for floor consideration. TAAHP provided testimony.
SB 2260 (Sen. Cook) / HB 1466 (Rep. Hayes) — Centralized Public Database of LIHTC Developments & Tax-Exempt Multifamily Properties
This bill establishes a centralized, public database of multifamily properties receiving property tax exemptions, including 4% and 9% LIHTC developments. It shifts reporting duties from political subdivisions to county appraisal districts, which already handle exemption data, and creates a reporting pipeline through the Comptroller to TDHCA.
Status: Heard in Senate Local Government Committee on April 7, 2025. Testimony taken; pending further committee action.
HB 1718 (Rep. Plesa) — Drawdown Bonds
Clarifies the definition of “closing” in bond-financed housing deals to allow issuers to delay drawing down funds until they’re needed—preventing premature interest accrual and unnecessary costs. This technical fix could improve the financial efficiency of affordable housing deals, freeing up more resources for project costs rather than interest payments.
Status: Reported favorably out of House Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee on April 4, 2025. Awaiting placement on House calendar.
HB 211 (Rep. Bernal) — TDHCA Scoring Incentives for Air Conditioning
Encourages affordable housing developers to include air conditioning by offering additional points in scoring processes used by TDHCA. Aims to raise baseline standards of comfort and safety for low-income residents.
Status: Heard in House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on March 18, 2025. Left pending in committee; eligible for reconsideration.
HB 636 (Rep. Walle) — Coordinated Homelessness Data Infrastructure
Would require the state to develop a centralized homelessness data system by coordinating with local Continuums of Care. The goal is to improve visibility into homelessness across regions and support more effective policy and funding decisions.
Status: Heard and voted on in House committee on April 7, 2025, but failed to receive enough votes for passage. Status uncertain; could be reconsidered.
SB 15 (Sen. Bettencourt) / HB 3919 — Capping Minimum Lot Sizes
Prohibits cities from requiring minimum residential lot sizes larger than 1,400 square feet unless they can demonstrate a health or safety reason. Designed to reduce land costs and allow for smaller, more affordable homes. It doesn’t interfere with HOA requirements, deed restrictions or building codes.
Status: SB 15 passed full Senate on March 19, 2025, by a 28–3 vote. Awaiting referral to House committee. TAAHP submitted a card in support. HB 3919 heard in committee on April 3, 2025. Left pending.
SB 844 (Sen. Hughes) / HB 24 (Orr)— Limiting Zoning Protest Thresholds
Raises the threshold for when neighbor protests can trigger a supermajority vote on rezoning. Under this bill, 60% of adjacent property owners (up from 20%) would have to object in order to require a supermajority vote from the city council. This reform is aimed at curbing the ability of a small group of residents to block zoning changes that could bring more housing to a neighborhood.
Status: SB 844 voted out of Local Government Committee. HB 24 reported favorably in committee.
SB 840 (Sen. Hughes) / HB 3404 (Hefner) — Allowing Residential Use in Commercial Zones
Permits residential development in commercially zoned areas without a zoning change, effectively legalizing mixed-use or adaptive reuse projects in underutilized retail corridors. A practical way to increase housing options without lengthy rezoning battles, especially in cities with excess commercial zoning.
Status: SB 840 passed full Senate on March 24, 2025. Received in House on March 25, 2025; awaiting committee referral. TAAHP submitted a card in support.
SB 673 (Sen. Hughes)— Authorizing ADUs Statewide
Legalizes accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all single-family residential zones statewide. Overrides local restrictions, aiming to create more rental housing options in existing neighborhoods.