The passing of HB 14 (2023) in the 88th Texas Legislature has led to reduced wait times for construction permits. For example, a November 2024 memorandum from the City of Dallas stated, “the October 2024 median issuance time for New Construction Commercial Permits dropped to 112 days, the lowest median time of 2024 and one of the lowest since 2021” (Letter from Robin Bentley, 2024). It is on the success of HB 14 that in the 89th Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 1450 (2025) has been filed to ensure that the legislative intent of the previous session is fully expressed.
Local Government
Higher Taxes on the Horizon: City of Stephenville
Many city, county, and school district officials are right now deciding where to set tax rates for the next fiscal year. In some cases, these local decisions will push property taxes higher, creating new challenges for families struggling with affordability. Given the very real prospect of tax hikes on the horizon, now is the time...
September 3, 2026