HAA is actively involved in the legislative process, sponsoring or promoting bills at the state and local levels that would enhance the quality of apartment living. Recent HAA-supported laws passed by the Texas legislature include the Security Devices Act, which provides minimum standards for locking devices; an employee screening law, which allows apartment owners to screen prospective employees for criminal history; and an amendment to the state nuisance law that makes reckless discharge of a firearm a common and public nuisance crime.

At the local level, HAA-supported ordinances passed include an expansion of the city of Houston FAST unit, which targets public nuisance properties for cleanup or shut down; new and improved city building and fire codes; and the Parks to Standards program, which renovated and upgraded city parks. Government affairs policy is determined by the HAA Board of Directors, upon advice of the HAA Legislative Committee.

Legislative News Join Action Team