Houston Republic

The Texas Senate recently voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 581 that allows homeowners to display articles of personal religious and spiritual importance on their lawns, in opposition to homeowners' association (HOA) restrictions.

While HOAs are often thought to help neighborhoods remain aesthetically pleasing and to ensure that general maintenance is handled in a prompt fashion, Texas lawmakers were concerned that the organizations were overstepping their bounds, even going so far as to strip individuals of their rights to free speech. 

“Today #SB581 passed unanimously 31-0 through the Texas Senate to protect homeowners who wish to place religious displays on their front yard,” state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) tweeted. “HOAs should not have the right to prevent free exercise of your religious freedom.”

The bill was met with approval from individuals from both sides of the political aisle who believe that what goes in someone’s front yard is truly a personal decision and not one to be restricted by an association.

“No one has a right to tell you that you cannot worship at your own home,” state Rep. Mike Schofield said. “Preventing someone from having a religious symbol on their own lawn is an infringement on freedom that is positively un-Texan, and it must stop.”

Schofield authored the bill in the House that passed on the Monday after Easter. 

SB 581 was sponsored by a total of five Republicans and one Democrat. The bill is one of 36 pieces of HOA regulation legislation.

Bettencourt represents Texas Senate District 7 and is president of Bettencourt Tax Advisors L.L.C. Bettencourt and his wife are active members at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Bettencourt is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he is a fourth-degree knight.