Legislative Advocacy

Texas 89th Legislative Session Wrap Up

HB 1093 “Newspaper Advertising Alternatives”

Despite our best efforts, House Bill 1093 “Newspaper Advertising Alternatives” which proposed allowing the use of modern, cost-effective alternatives to mandatory newspaper advertising for public notices did not pass during the 2025 legislative session.

We were extremely optimistic, as we made great progress at the beginning of the session with a unanimous vote of support coming out of the House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee, and while the bill garnered interest and highlighted the need to modernize public notice requirements, it ultimately did not make it through the legislative process.

We are very thankful to Representative Stan Lambert (House District 71, Abilene) and Senator Tan Parker (District 12, Flower Mound) for sponsoring our bill as well as Representative Drew Darby (House District 72, San Angelo), Representative Will Metcalf (House District 16, Conroe) and Representative Mark Dorazio (House District 122, San Antonio) who signed on as co-sponsors of HB 1093.

Click here for more information on "Newspaper Advertising Alternatives" legislation.

Update to Texas Property Code, Chapter 24 (Forcible Entry & Detainer)

Senate Bill 38 streamlines the eviction process to remove unauthorized occupants allowing all property owners—residential and commercial (and including self-storage facility owners)—to regain rights to their property. The statutory changes by this bill will also simplify notice requirements and expedite hearings.

In the instance of “squatters” or tenants without a lease with a defined lease termination clause, you may file a suit for nonpayment of rent initiated by a written notice to 1) Pay Rent or Vacate (if the tenant was not late or delinquent in the previous month) allowing the opportunity for the tenant to cure, or 2) Pay Rent or Vacate or Notice to Vacate (if the tenant was late or delinquent in the previous month) for nonpayment cases.

The Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate should allow 30 days for the tenant to remedy while a Notice to Vacate allows three days to remedy.

Upon filing the suit with the Justice Court, the court (via a sheriff, constable, or deputy thereof) would be required to make a diligent effort to serve the citation within five business days and a trial no later than 21 days after the petition is filed. A significant change to the process would include placing the burden of proof on the unauthorized occupant of space to respond to the petition within four days. If there is no response and the court determines the notice was properly made, and there are no disputed facts, the court may enter judgment in favor of the landlord without a trial.

These changes go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Property Tax

The legislature appropriated funds for tax relief contingent upon approval on the November 2025 ballot. The components include increasing the Homestead Exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 (SB 4) and the additional exemption for those disabled or 65 or older from $10,000 to $60,000 (SB 23) along with an increase to the exemption for business personal property from $2,500 to $125,000 (HB 9).

The “Circuit Breaker” provision from 2023’s Senate Bill 2 that provided a 20% cap in yearly appraisal increases for existing constructed, non-homestead property valued under $5 million was not renewed and is attached to properties only through 2026.

How Can You Help?

As we begin planning our strategy for the 2027 90th Texas Legislative Session we will continue to call on members to help us reach their local state House and Senate representatives. You can find out who represents you by entering your address at https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/.

Tell us about relationships. 

Successful advocacy hinges on the relationships we establish with the people who ultimately vote on this piece of legislation. We are very fortunate to work with a fantastic membership that has strong ties in their respective communities. We need as many connections as possible. All connections matter, whether that connection is because of a friendship, family or business tie, or because of a common neighborhood, school, church, etc.

If the legislator knows you and we can connect, it can be extremely helpful to enhance the understanding of the topic at hand. If you know someone who is a current legislator (state senator or representative), legislative staff, state official or if they own a newspaper or are influential on that side of the equation, please contact Kristy Spurr at advocacy@txssa.org or 512-374-9089.

Make a campaign contribution. 

One of the elements of successful advocacy hinges on helping those who have run for office to retire the debt campaigns can involve. TSSA does not have a political action committee, so all contributions must come from an individual or LLC (no corporate contributions are allowed in Texas). If you would consider a campaign contribution, please coordinate through me so that we can work with you to connect to our legislative effort. Whether we join you in a meeting to present the funds directly to the campaign, are involved in the handoff at a fundraiser or we simply know that the contribution happened, connecting the dots between your political contributions and the Texas self-storage industry is crucial. Please call or email Kristy Spurr to discuss this further.

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