The Senate Committee on Local Government convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss House Bill 24, a proposed legislation aimed at addressing housing affordability in Texas. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, highlighting both support and opposition to the bill.

Emily Bridal from Dava, Texas, expressed her support for HB 24, emphasizing the need to update a century-old statute that she believes hinders housing development. She argued that concerns regarding the bill leading to increased industrial uses are unfounded and that the current statute is detrimental to housing availability.

Conversely, Barbara McArthur from Austin raised significant objections to the bill. She argued that HB 24 would strip families of their right to protest zoning changes near their homes, potentially allowing harmful developments without adequate community input. McArthur pointed out that the bill could mislead readers regarding its implications for zoning protests and claimed it violates constitutional provisions by reducing the time citizens have to challenge rezoning decisions from three years to just 60 days.

Susan Spataro also voiced her opposition, stressing the importance of protecting homeowners and maintaining the character of neighborhoods. She highlighted concerns about recent zoning changes in Austin that have allowed for high-density developments in single-family areas, which she believes threaten the stability and affordability of housing for middle and lower-middle-class families.

The committee concluded public testimony without further discussion, leaving the future of HB 24 uncertain as it moves forward in the legislative process. The contrasting viewpoints presented during the meeting underscore the ongoing debate over housing policy and community rights in Texas.