Texans say “Come and Take It” to HOAs

    Texans just took back their front lawn from Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) who were prohibiting homeowners from putting up religious displays.  No longer will HOAs be able to prohibit Texans from putting up an Easter “He is Risen” Cross or Christmas Nativity display. Last week, May 31st, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law SB 581 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Rep. Mike Schofield. SB 581 seeks to protect both religious expression and property rights by limiting the ability of HOAs from ordering the removal of religious displays on a homeowner's property. Our freedom to express our sincerely held religious beliefs should not be dependent upon the approval of a quasi-governing entity. SB 581 took effect immediately. 

     Another religious freedom victory for Texas came last week when Gov. Abbott also signed HB 1197 by Rep. Will Metcalf and Sen. Donna Campbell into law. This law extends the period for which land owned by religious organizations for the purpose of expanding or building a new place of worship may be exempted from property taxes. The law was extended from six to 10 years and will become effective on January 1, 2022. 
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Texas Values Thwarts Pro-LGBT Bills

     In addition to passing good legislation, the Texas Values Team was successful in defeating many pieces of bad legislation that would have attacked religious liberty and family values.

     After the Supreme Court rendered a legally confusing decision last summer on LGBT rights in employment law in Bostock v. Clayton County, many LGBT activists in Texas became emboldened about pursuing special legal privileges for the LGBT lifestyle that would be used as a sword to harm those who hold biblical views on marriage, human sexuality, and even biology.

    There were over 49 bills filed this session that sought to implement sexual orientation and gender identity into Texas state law. In the 2019 session, the Texas Values team called a number of these bills “Ban the Bible” bills. In this session, Leftist members of the Texas House tried again to file bills with varying forms of punishment or enforcement of gay rights and transgender rights. The pro-LGBT bills covered all areas of law, including the property code, labor code, and criminal code. One bill, HB 4139, would have even created a “Health Equity Office” that would have promoted transgender medicine and abortion. Thankfully, the Texas Values team was able to defeat HB 4139 and all other pro-LGBT “Ban the Bible” bills this session. 
 

Join us as we hit the road around Texas to do our session recap, hear from some great speakers, and enjoy time together.  

HOUSTON: Monday, June 21, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 
Houston Faith & Family Luncheon **FLASH SALE** 
Join our Houston Faith & Family Luncheon with special guest conservative talk show host and #1 Amazon bestseller, Steve Deace! Invite friends and family, you won't want to miss this!
Use promocode " HEARTBEAT " during checkout by June 12th at 6 PM to receive 50% individual tickets!

DALLAS: Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 
Dallas Fundraising Luncheon & Recap
Join our Dallas Fundraising Luncheon to learn about what we are doing in the state and a Texas Legislative Session recap with Jonathan Saenz and Texas Rep Matt Shaheen!

SAN ANTONIO: Monday, June 28, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
San Antonio Reception & Session Recap
Join our San Antonio Luncheon for our luncheon and a Texas Legislative Session recap!

To register for any of these events, please click here.