SB2783 - Relating to the authority of a property owners' association to regulate the display of certain flags.

  89R5802 SCR-D     By: Birdwell S.B. No. 2783       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authority of a property owners' association to   regulate the display of certain flags.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 202.012(a) and (b), Property Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (a)  A property owners' association may not, except as   provided in this section, adopt or enforce a dedicatory instrument   provision that prohibits, restricts, or has the effect of   prohibiting or restricting an owner from the display of:                (1)  the flag of the United States of America;                (2)  the flag of the State of Texas; [ or ]                (3)  an official or replica flag of any branch of the   United States armed forces ; or                 (4)     during a period in which display of a political   sign is allowed under Section 259.002, Election Code, a flag   promoting a candidate for office, elected official, or political   party .          (b)  A property owners' association may adopt or enforce   reasonable dedicatory instrument provisions:                (1)  that require:                      (A)  the flag of the United States be displayed in   accordance with 4 U.S.C. Sections 5-10;                      (B)  the flag of the State of Texas be displayed in   accordance with Chapter 3100, Government Code;                      (C)  a flagpole attached to a dwelling or a   freestanding flagpole be constructed of permanent, long-lasting   materials, with a finish appropriate to the materials used in the   construction of the flagpole and harmonious with the dwelling;                      (D)  the display of a flag, or the location and   construction of the supporting flagpole, to comply with applicable   zoning ordinances, easements, and setbacks of record; and                      (E)  a displayed flag and the flagpole on which it   is flown be maintained in good condition and that any deteriorated   flag or deteriorated or structurally unsafe flagpole be repaired,   replaced, or removed;                (2)  that regulate the size, number, and location of   flagpoles on which flags are displayed, except that the regulation   may not prevent the installation or erection of at least one   flagpole per property that:                      (A)  is not more than 20 feet in height and,   subject to applicable zoning ordinances, easements, and setbacks of   record, is located in the front yard of the property; or                      (B)  is attached to any portion of a residential   structure owned by the property owner and not maintained by the   property owners' association;                (3)  that govern the size of a displayed flag;                (4)  that regulate the size, location, and intensity of   any lights used to illuminate a displayed flag;                (5)  that impose reasonable restrictions to abate noise   caused by an external halyard of a flagpole; [ or ]                (6)   that limit a property owner to displaying only one   flag for each candidate, official, or party;                 (7)     that prohibit the display of a flag containing   language, graphics, or any display that would be offensive to the   ordinary person; or                 (8)   that prohibit a property owner from locating a   displayed flag or flagpole on property that is:                      (A)  owned or maintained by the property owners'   association; or                      (B)  owned in common by the members of the   association.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.