Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
5 bills that modify the Property Code
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.
Blog Summary
HB 1193
HB 2022
HB 3536
HB 4142 - Attorney's fees are recoverable in a motor vehicle mortgage action
HB 4246
5 bills that modify the Property Code
Published: 2026-04-16
Multiple short modifications
HB 1193 - 2 pages
Property owner's associations may not discriminate based upon the method of payment. This is meant to prevent property owner's associations from prohibiting or restricting rentals to someone receiving assistance through housing vouchers. I seriously do not understand why this would matter as long as the payment is being made in a timely manner.
HB 2022 - 13 pages
A lot of little adjustments to definitions concerning construction of residences, and changes to definitions of types of residences. A contractor is only liable to the extent that the defect causes actual physical damage to the residence; there is actual failure or lack of capability of the building component to perform it's intended function; or there is verifiable damage to the safety of the occupants. There are a few tweaks to what they are not liable for.
To maintain a breach of warranty it must be shown that the defect was latent at the time of completion or when the title was conveyed; and the the defect has rendered the residence unsuitable for its intended use as a home.
Contractors must not be given the opportunity to inspect up to 3 times during a 35 day window.
HB 3536 - 3 pages
The following uses of leased premises gives the landlord the right to terminate the lease and recover the possession of the land:
- prostitution;
- aggravated promotion of prostitution
- compelling prostitution;
- trafficking of persons;
- operating, maintaining, or advertising a massage establishment that is not exempt from Federal licensing requirements and does not have a license or the license was suspended, revoked or refused (This one is new);
HB 4142 - 2 pages
Reasonable attorney's fees are recoverable in an action to enforce the lienholder's rights regarding a motor vehicle.
HB 4246 - 2 pages
Nonprofit cooperative corporations may transfer up to 50% of their total annual revenue to scholarship for rural students, rural economic development, and energy assistance. It was previously capped at a flat $2 million, with only 20% being permitted for economic development.
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