Professional Community Association Management Since 1984
Archived Newsletters
Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.
89th Texas Legislative Update
by Ralph A. Troiano
The 89th Texas Legislative Session began on January 14th and lasts for 140 days until June 2nd. The last day to file non-emergency bills was March 14th so we now have a clear idea of the bills that could affect POAs. By that deadline, 8,607 bills had been filed. That number has been increasing by a few hundred each year over the last decade or so. However, only about 20% of all introduced bills actually become law.
Like the last several sessions, there are a large number of bills directed at POAs. Most are minor or contain reasonable clarifications. However there are three problematic bills dealing with assessment increases, architectural review authority and board appointments. Chicken bills are back – and with the price of eggs, they have a better chance than before. The reality of scorching hot weather and drought conditions is reflected in bills regarding landscaping. And there are five bills associated with political activities inside communities.
Texas has a very nice website to explain how things work and to follow proposed legislation. Go to Texas Legislature online at https://capitol.texas.gov/Home.aspx and look around. Courtesy of the CAI-Texas Legislative Action Committee, here is a summary of what has been introduced that could affect POAs.
Assessment Increases – SB 1935 (Hinojosa). This is a large bill amending Chapter 209 with one major concern. It would limit assessment increases to 5%. That might not be adequate in times of high inflation or if the board has tried to keep increases to a minimum over time. It would also mandate that increases over of 5% must be approved by a majority of all owners. Most CCRs have a lower threshold like 2/3 of those at a meeting called for that purpose.
Architectural authority – HB 5225 (Alders). This is another large bill amending Chapter 209 with one concerning section. It would prohibit an association from restricting an owner from making "minor aesthetic improvements" to the residence or lot. "Minor" is not defined but the bill gives three specific examples of what it considers minor: an owner painting their house any color they want, installing any fence they want, or "improving" the landscaping.
Board Vacancies – HB 1087 (Schofield). This bill amends Section 209.00593(a) of the Property Code and requires formal elections for all board member vacancies. This would increase POA costs and delay filling board positions. Today, a vacancy can be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term. Under this bill, a special election must be called, and the person would only serve until the next election.
Chickens – HB 294/SB 141 (Cortez/Hall). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. It would prevent POAs from completely banning residents from growing fruits and vegetables, keeping up to six chickens or rabbits, or running a small home-based food business (like baking goods to sell). While POAs could still create some reasonable rules about these activities (like where gardens can be placed or how to maintain chicken coops), they couldn’t outright forbid them.
Future Chickens – SB 141 (Hall). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. POAs created on or after September 1, 2025 wouldn’t be allowed to ban owners from having up to six chickens on their lots. POAs could limit chickens to six, ban breeding, ban roosters, and set minimum distances between coops and neighboring lots.
Droughts & Green Lawns – HB 359/HB 517/SB 542 (Goodwin/Harris Davila/Schwertner). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. It would prevent POAs from fining owners who don’t maintain green lawns during mandatory water restrictions (like during a drought). The protection would extend for a reasonable time after the restrictions end.
Drought Resistant Landscaping – HB 1432 (Goodwin). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. It says that a POA can’t stop an owner from using drought-resistant landscaping instead of natural turf. POAs can still require that owners obtain approval, but an owner would only have to submit an outline or diagram prepared by the owner instead of a detailed plan prepared by a landscape architect or other landscaping professional.
Public Gatherings – HB 918 (Schofield). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. This law requires POAs to allow peaceful gatherings on POA property without prior approval; permit guest speakers, including politicians and officials; and not restrict speech content unless it’s unsafe, illegal, or contains offensive language/graphics.
Political Gatherings – HB 621/HB 918 (Patterson/Schofield). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. This law would allow property owners and residents to host government officials and political candidates in POA common areas (like clubhouses or meeting rooms); require these political gatherings to follow the same rules as other events in those spaces; and would not apply to common areas that aren’t already used for meetings or to tax-exempt POAs.
Political Campaigning – HB 509 (Bucy). This bill amends Chapter 276 of the Election Code. This law would allow door-to-door political activities like voter registration and campaign messaging; prevent POAs from banning people from knocking on doors, ringing doorbells, or leaving written materials for these purposes; but would let POAs set reasonable rules about when and how this can happen (like limiting hours or specific methods).
Political Flags – SB 2783 (Birdwell). This bill amends Chapter 2202 of the Property Code and would allow political flags to be flown during the election season (90 days before until 10 days after). Political signs are already protected under the Elections Code.
Political Signs– HB 4356 (Toth). This bill amends Chapter 259 of the Election Code. This current law allows signs advocating for a candidate or ballot initiative during the election season. This extends the protection to any sign of a political nature during the election season.
Law Enforcement Support – HB 1486. (Louderback). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. It says POAs can’t prohibit the “Thin Blue Line” flag.
Solar Shingles – HB 431 (Cortez). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. It would require POAs to allow owners to install solar roof tiles, just like they currently must allow solar panels.
Clotheslines – HB 648 (Cortez). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. This law says POAs must allow clotheslines on private property, but with restrictions: the POA can prohibit clotheslines that (1) a court has said violates public health or safety or a law; (2) are located on POA property or POA-maintained property; or (3) are visible over the lot’s fence line. The POA can require approval for clotheslines in front yards, side yards, or patios.
Swim Lessons – HB 1133 (Isaac). This bill amends Chapter 202 of the Property Code. This law says that POAs can’t prohibit certified swim instructors from teaching swimming in private pools on an owner’s property. POAs can (1) require lessons to be conducted in an owner’s backyard; not visible from the front street; between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm; (2) establish a four-person class limit; and (3) require that students have access to a permanent bathroom on the property that is connected to water/sewer.
Contract Deputies – HB 1246, etc. This bill amends Chapters 85b and 86 of the Local Government Code to allow sheriffs or constables statewide to enter into a contract with a POA to provide law enforcement services. Competing bills limit this to counties over 3.3 million in population (Harris County only) or populations over 1 million (7 of our 254 counties).
Clean-Up on 87th Session – HB 1349. (Turner). This is the large bill introduced last session that would have fixed many of the issues created during the 2021 session. It passed but was vetoed by the Governor. The best correction for POAs is related to the composition of architectural review committees. Currently, the law prohibits a board member or their family from serving on the ARC. This amendment creates a process to solicit candidates to serve on the ARC. If a vacancy remains after the POA follows the solicitation procedures, the board may appoint someone to fill the vacancy – even if that person is a current board member, a board member’s spouse, or someone who lives in a board member’s house.
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2025 CAI San Antonio Awards Gala
The San Antonio Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) held its Annual Gala on March 28th. CAI is a national organization dedicated to building better communities through information, education, and resources for the homeowner volunteers who govern communities and the professionals who support them.
The Annual Gala is an opportunity to recognize exceptional companies and individuals in the community management industry. The theme this year was masquerade. Everyone donned their favorite formalwear and masks and had a great time!
We are honored to announce that one of our colleagues was awarded the title in their category!
It is with great pride that we recognize all of our nominations for 2025. It is a privilege to be recognized by our peers for the great work that we do every day for our communities.
We would also like to congratulate Dewayne Nelson of The Overlook H.O.A. for being named the Homeowner Leader of the Year! Dewayne is a wonderful volunteer, and we are pleased to work with him.
Thank you to all of our hard-working employees and community members who made all of this possible!
Michael Zeitman of Kendall Pointe HOA
by Keli Ozuna
A strong and vibrant community is the result of dedicated individuals who invest their time, energy, and passion to create a better environment for all. This month, we are proud to recognize Michael Zeitman, the President of the Kendall Pointe Homeowners Association, for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to enhancing the neighborhood.
Michael and his wife, Felicia, have been residents of Kendall Pointe since 2019. From the moment they moved in, the Zeitmans quickly became a cornerstone of the community, demonstrating a passion for making the neighborhood a welcoming and connected place. Since joining the Board of Directors (BOD) in May 2021, Michael has shown remarkable leadership, always being available to assist fellow residents and actively engaging in the betterment of the community.
As a dedicated board member, Michael is known for his hands-on approach, always ready to help address concerns and implement solutions. His commitment to the neighborhood extends beyond the boardroom, as he is frequently involved in local events and activities, contributing to a sense of togetherness and community spirit. Michael and Felicia share a love for travel and enjoy exploring new destinations, and they also take great pride in being friendly, supportive neighbors to everyone around them.
Michael’s contributions have played a significant role in creating a thriving, close-knit environment at Kendall Pointe. His efforts have made a lasting impact on the neighborhood, helping to foster a sense of unity and belonging. We are fortunate to have a volunteer like Michael Zeitman—an engaged leader, a helpful neighbor, and a true advocate for the community. Thank you, Michael, for your outstanding service and dedication to making Kendall Pointe a wonderful place to call home!
We are proud of every one of our communities, so it’s always hard to find just one to spotlight. However, we are always eager to share! This month, we are featuring the Fairway Pointe Community Association.
Neighbors Who Care, A Community That Shines!
Life is a whirlwind; between work, kids’ activities, endless errands, and the pull of our electronic devices, who has time to volunteer? But imagine if your neighborhood isn’t just a place to live…it’s a place where everyone looks out for each other, where people know your name, and where lending a helping hand is just part of the culture.
Welcome to Fairway Pointe Community Association, where five wonderful volunteers serve as board members. They don’t just manage the day-to-day operations; they roll up their sleeves to make the neighborhood the best it can be!
They’re not just decision-makers—they’re doers! From installing street signs and decking the neighborhood in festive holiday lights to clearing fallen branches after a storm, these board members are always ready to jump in. If they can save money and do it on their own, they will, but at the same time, they know their limits.
These amazing volunteers issue a newsletter several times yearly; they work with the local government and the neighboring golf course to keep everything running smoothly.
A HUGE shout-out to Robert Marley, Tom Collier, Barbara Meeks, Lauren Fuhrman (left to right), and Chris Clement: your passion and dedication make Fairway Pointe more than just a neighborhood; you make it a community.
Thank you for all that you do!
Check out our past featured communities on the Community Spotlight page on our site.
Every month, we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us. Here are the clients that started with us in April.
Thank you to all these amazing communities!
Employee Anniversaries
We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees. In the Employee Corner of each eNews issue, we will list all employees who have reached their first anniversary with our company. Additionally, once employees reach five years and become stockholders, we recognize them each year on their anniversary month.
This month, we have three stockholder anniversaries to celebrate!
Rhonda Duffield is celebrating her 35th work anniversary with the company! Rhonda is the Houston Office Administrator and Maintenance Assistant. She and her husband, Lonnie, have an Amazon Yellow Nape Parrot named PePe. Although PePe does not join them on their many cruise vacations, he is well-loved! Rhonda and her mom enjoy taking advantage of the rich Houston Theater District together in their free time. Rhonda prides herself on helping her coworkers daily.
Congratulations to Angela Douglas for reaching 18 years with C.I.A. Services this month! Angela is our Director of Technology and a Vice President. She has two sons with her husband of 28 years, Brian. Her oldest son, Aaron, is in the United States Navy and attends the University of Maryland for Aerospace Engineering. Her youngest son, Cody, is a freshman at the University of Louisville studying Software Engineering. Angela is well-traveled and has visited 13 different countries on 4 different continents! She especially loves trips to any Disney park! When asked what she is most proud of at work, Angela said, "Helping our staff use their technology tools effectively and teaching new tips and tricks".
This April will be the 12th work anniversary for Robert Pampell. Although when he was a kid, he wanted to be a game show host, Robert ultimately chose to be one of our Houston Maintenance Coordinators. He and his wife have a doodle mix (aka little fluff ball), a master of contorting into the smallest spaces to take a cozy nap. In their free time, Robert and his wife enjoy fun weekend trips and exploring all the cool restaurants in Houston. During quiet times at home, he will not say no to a long nap! Robert is committed to serving our communities at the highest level. He especially loves to see how his efforts help a community grow and thrive!
Stay Plugged in With Webcasts
We offer each of our seminars in the form of a recorded webcast on demand for you to watch at any time! If you are interested in one of our seminars, they are available on our YouTube channel. The following seminars are now available:
To watch any of the webcasts, simply click on the links above.
Associations in Practice
Our Associations in Practice Series is an offering of short videos with specific topics.
With the Texas 89th legislative session in progress, we have a new video previewing the bills that would impact property owners associations if passed. Check out our Texas 89th Session Preview.
For comparison, you may want to see the legislative action from 2021 and 2023.
We have also started a series of essential seminars providing important basic insights. Two new videos are now available in this series: Governing Documents - What You Need to Know and Certificates of Formation - What You Need to Know.
All of our Associations in Practice Series videos are available on our YouTube channel. We will send updates when new material is added. You can also subscribe to our channel for news on the latest additions.
C.I.A. Services, Inc. has a long and proud history of providing up-to-date news on our company happenings, industry news, and association governance. Each month, we are pleased to share our eNews Monthly. Each issue is loaded with great information!
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