Report by: Colette Vallot, Andrade – Van de Putte & Associates
Event: Texas Tribune’s “Legislative Year in Review” featuring Sen. Paul Bettencourt
Senator Paul Bettencourt joined the Texas Tribune’s annual Legislative Year in Review to reflect on key policy debates from the 89th Legislative Session. His remarks focused on property tax reform, housing supply, and the ongoing balance between state authority and local control.
Key Takeaways: Senator Bettencourt on Housing:
- Affordability vs. Affordable Housing: Bettencourt drew a distinction between state efforts to improve housing affordability—through property tax relief and homestead exemptions—and federally driven affordable housing programs. He noted that while Texas has acted to lower costs, supply constraints and local regulations remain major challenges.
- Minimum Lot Size and Local Control: He highlighted Senate Bill 15, which limits city minimum lot sizes to 1,400 square feet, as part of broader efforts to reduce barriers to housing development. Bettencourt said about nine housing-related bills passed this session, several aimed at making multifamily construction easier.
- Local Mandates and Development Costs: Citing new rules in Irving that require amenities like pools and co-working spaces, Bettencourt argued such mandates inflate rents and should be driven by market demand, not city ordinance. He reaffirmed support for state preemption over local regulation.
- Preemption and the Courts: Bettencourt referenced the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s recent lawsuit against the City of Dallas under HB 2127 (the “Regulatory Consistency Act”), calling it part of a broader effort to curb municipal overreach and maintain statewide consistency in housing policy.
- HB 21 and “Traveling” HFCs: He also discussed HB 21, which restricts Housing Finance Corporations from operating outside their jurisdictions. Bettencourt praised the bipartisan push by Senators Molly Cook and Mayes Middleton to increase transparency and accountability in HFC activities, particularly regarding long-term tax exemptions.
Final Note:
On behalf of TAAHP, Colette Vallot (Andrade – Van de Putte & Associates) thanked Senator Bettencourt for his continued engagement with the affordable housing community and for participating in this year’s TAAHP Annual Conference in Austin. The Senator expressed appreciation for TAAHP’s leadership and ongoing advocacy in advancing practical housing solutions across the state.
Watch the Discussion:
For those who’d like to view the full interview, the Texas Tribune has made the replay available on YouTube here.
Recommended Viewing:
- 9:00 – Interview begins
- 30:00 – Minimum lot size discussion
- 51:00 – Floodplain development (audience Q&A: Katelyn Caldwell)
- 52:50 – HFCs and HB 21 discussion