Texas is currently experiencing a housing shortage. According to the Texas Comptroller, “Texas was 306,000 homes short of what was needed” in 2023 (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2024). Recently, Texas A&M’s Student Government Association’s Policy Division and Department of Legislative Relations released a data set that estimates that Texas has 1.7 to 4.3 million spare bedrooms (TAMU SGA, 2024). However, under most municipal occupancy ordinances and codes, there are limits to the number of occupants a dwelling may have (if the occupants are not related). On the other hand, municipal occupancy codes and ordinances generally have no limits on related (whether by blood, marriage, or adoption) occupants. These limits on unrelated occupants hamper the ability for Texans to earn a little more cash by leasing a spare bedroom, while also keeping other Texans out of housing. House Bill 2797 (2025) aims to rectify this situation, by prohibiting municipalities from passing ordinances and rules that limit unrelated occupancy, albeit with a few exceptions for health and safety.
SECURING TEXAS THROUGH STATE-LED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: Fully Implementing 287(G)
Texas should establish a state-led immigration enforcement framework that: Eliminates reliance on inconsistent federal enforcement Closes gaps exploited by criminal networks Ensures uniform application of immigration laws across Texas Strengthens public safety and state sovereignty Mandatory participation & accountability: Require all state and local law enforcement agencies to participate in the 287(g) program Grant authority...