number 81-5 august 12, 2010 authority of hoas in texas ... · texas has the largest unincorporated...
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Authority of HOAs in Texas examined
Where should inmates be counted for redistricting?
(See Inmates, page 8)
(See HOAs, page 2)
Interim NewsNumber 81-5 August 12, 2010
TheMaryland,Delaware,andNewYorklegislaturesrecentlyapprovedlawsthat,forredistrictingpurposes,willcountinmatesattheirmostrecentpermanenthomeaddressesbeforetheywereincarcerated,ratherthanattheinstitutionwheretheyarehoused.Maryland’slaw,thefirsttobeenacted, willassigninmatestotheir previousaddressesforbothU.S.congressionalandstatelegislativeredistricting.TheDelawareandNewYorklawswillapplyonlytostatelegislativeredistricting.CountinginmatesattheiraddressespriortoincarcerationdiffersfromtheU.S.CensusBureau’spracticeofcountinginmatesasresidentsofthecommunitieswheretheyareincarcerated.
WhileTexasandmostotherstatesusetheCensusBureau’sapproachforredistricting,countinginmateswheretheyareincarcerated,Connecticut,Florida,Illinois,Minnesota,Oregon,RhodeIsland,andWisconsinrecentlyhaveconsideredorareconsideringmeasuressimilartotheonesadoptedbyMaryland,Delaware,andNewYork.Duringthe2009regularsessionofthe81stTexasLegislature,theHouseCorrectionsCommitteeheardtestimony
TheTexasLegislaturehasconsiderednumerousbillsinrecentyearstoaddressthemanagementandconductofhomeownersassociations(HOAs).InApril,theSenateIntergovernmentalRelationsCommitteeandtheHouseBusinessandIndustryCommitteebothheldhearingstoconsiderifcurrentlawgoverningHOAsisadequatetoprotecttheinterestsofhomeowners.
RecentcasesofHOAsforeclosingonhomeownershavereceivedlocalandnationalattention.NationalandlocalmediahaverunstoriesaboutHOAsforeclosingonhomesintheDallasareaandinSanAntoniofordelinquentassessmentsowedtotheassociation.
CriticsofcurrentHOApracticessayabusesreportedinthemediaandinpublictestimonybeforelawmakersshowtheneedforstateregulationofHOAs.AhomeownerwhohasadisputewithanHOAhasfewmeaningfulprotections,theysay,andthiscanbecorrectedonlybystatelaw.ManyHOAshavepowerscomparabletomunicipalitiesandshouldhavetofollowsimilarrules,criticssay.
SupportersofcurrentHOApracticessayabusesthatreceivemediaattentionareoutlyingcasesthathavebeenexaggeratedanddonotrepresentmostinteractionsbetweenHOAsandhomeowners.ImpairingtheabilityofHOAstooperateinorderto
reininthefewthatmisbehavewouldbeadisservicetothevastmajorityofTexanswhohaveamicablerelationshipswiththeirassociationsandenjoythebenefitssuchcommunitiesprovide,HOAadvocatessay.
Background
HOAs,whicharesetuptogovernresidentialsubdivisionsmadeupofsingle-familyhouses,townhomes,orduplexes,areonetypeofpropertyownersassociation
(POA).APOAtypicallyisanonprofitentitygovernedbyaboardthatiselectedbyhomeownersandsometimesdevelopers.POAsincludenotonlyHOAs,butcondominiumassociations andmixed-use associations,suchasinLasColinasortheWoodlands.
HOAsinparticularhavebecomemorecommoninTexasinrecentyears,asdevelopersincreasinglyrelyonthemtofinanceongoingmaintenanceofcommonproperty
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HOAs, from page 1
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Developers have used HOAs to ensure maintenance of privately built infrastructure, recreational features, and landscaping.
inresidentialsubdivisions.Especiallyinareasofrapidgrowth,suchasinsuburbanandexurbanareasaroundcitiesandinunincorporatedareasofcounties,developershaveusedHOAstoensuremaintenanceofprivatelybuiltinfrastructure,recreationalfeatures,andlandscaping.
Texashasabout25,000to30,000propertyownersassociations,accordingtoanestimatefromnationaldatapreparedbytheCommunityAssociationInstitute(CAI),anationalorganizationthatrepresentsPOAs. Accordingtotheestimate,theseassociationsrepresentabout750,000condominiumunitsand1.9millionlotsinsingle-family,residentialsubdivisions.Texashasthelargestunincorporatedcommunitytownshipinthecountry,theWoodlands,whichisstructuredasamasterplannedcommunitywithamandatoryassociation.TheHoustonandtheDallas-FortWorthareasalsohavesignificantconcentrationsofplannedcommunitieswithestablishedassociations.POAsinTexashouse4.8millionpeoplewhocontributeabout$3.2billioninassessmentseachyear,accordingtoanestimatebytheCAI.
LocalgovernmentsinTexashavevaryingpoliciesontheroletheyshouldassumeinbuildingandmaintaininginfrastructureandpublicrightsofwayinnewresidentialsubdivisions.Localgovernmentscannotmaintainprivateroadsorotherprivateamenities.Asaresult,unlessacityorcountyagreestomaintainroadsandotheramenitiesaspublicinfrastructure,developersmustestablishaprivate meanstomaintainthem,suchasbyestablishinganHOA.Somecitiesandmanycountiessimplyrequirenewsubdivisionstobesetupwithanassociation.
Legal framework
CondominiumsandHOAsaretreateddifferentlyunderthelaw.CondominiumsaregovernedprimarilybytheUniformCondominiumAct(PropertyCode,ch.82). HOAsderivetheirauthorityprimarilyfromcommonlaw,includingdeedrestrictionsandprivatecovenants,
butincreasinglyareregulatedbystateandfederallawandlocalordinances.
TexasdoesnothaveacomprehensivestatuteonHOAsforresidentialsubdivisionsnoranylawthatmandateshowHOAsarecreatedorgoverned.Title11ofthePropertyCodegrantssomepowerstoandimposescertainconstraintsonHOAs, suchasprohibitingthemfromrestrictingreasonablepoliticalsignsinyards(ch.202).Manyof thelawsunderTitle11applyonlytoacertaincountyorregion,andthestatutesdonotregulateprocedures,boards,andbylawsasextensivelyas dolawsthatgoverncondominiums.
DisputesbetweenHOAsandhomeownersmaybepursuedincivilcourtorsettledthrough
alternativemeans.HOAsmaysuehomeownersforfinesandassessmentsortoobtainanowner’scompliancewiththeHOA’srestrictions,andtheymayforecloseuponownerswhodonotpaymonthlyassessments.Statelawrequiresenforcementactionsagainsthomeownersto
beprecededbyacertifiedletterprovidingnoticeofpossibleactionandinformingtheownerthatheorsheisentitledareasonableperiodtoaddressaviolation.HomeownersmaysueanHOA foraperceivedviolationoftheassociation’sestablishedproceduresorforanarbitraryenforcementofaparticularruleorregulation.HomeownersandHOAsalsomayagreetoalternativedisputeresolution,suchasmediation.Acourtmayordermediationbeforeatrialisscheduled.
Powers and responsibilities of HOAs
HOAsusuallyareestablishedbydevelopers,whoarerequiredbystatelawtocreate andfilealegalinstrument,oftencalledtheassociation’scovenants,conditions,andrestrictions(CC&Rs)orthedeclaration.MostHOAsalsohaveorganizationalbylawsandarticlesofincorporation.Manyhaverulesandregulations,andsomeincludearchitecturalguidelines.
ThesegoverningdocumentsestablishthepowersandresponsibilitiesofHOAboardsandhomeowners.Ingeneral,theHOAbylawsaddressassociation
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governance,suchasqualificationsforofficersanddirectors,requirementsforboardandmembershipmeetings,noticerequirementsformeetings,andvotingprocedures.EachgoverningdocumenthasitsownprocedureforhowitmaybeamendedbytheHOAafterthedeveloperleaves.
HOAsgenerallymaintainpropertyandcollectassessments.Theymightexercisearchitecturalcontrolandpursuedelinquentaccountsorviolationsofgoverningdocuments.Insomecases,cityordinancesorstatelawsmayimposedutiesonHOAs,suchassubjectingthemtoauditsorrequiringthemtopublishcontactinformation.Associationsalsoarerestrictedbysomefederallawsand mayvoluntarilycomplywithrequirementsofcertainlenders,suchasFannieMaeandtheFederalHousingAdministration.
MaintenanceresponsibilitiesofHOAsvarybasedontheirgoverningdocuments,applicablestatelaw,andthesize,type,andlocationofthedevelopment.SomeHOAsmaydolittlemorethanmowrightsofwayormaintainentrancefeatures, suchasgates,whileothersmayberesponsibleforagreaterrangeofduties.InTexas,dependingonthecommunity,responsibilitiesofHOAsmayinclude:
• landscapingcommonareasandmowingfrontyards;
• operatingrecreationalfeatures,suchasswimmingpoolsandgolfcourses;
• maintainingprivateroads,alleys,andsidewalks,especiallyingatedcommunities;
• maintainingdrainageandwaterretentionstructures;
• providingutilities,suchastrash,electricity,water,wastewater,andcable;
• maintainingcommonwaterfeatures,suchasfountainsandponds;
• maintainingexteriorpaintandroofs,suchasontownhomes;and
• maintainingcontrolledaccessgatesanddoorsandsecuritycameras.
HOAschargeyearlyormonthly“assessments”forregularmaintenanceanddutiessetforthintheir governingdocuments.Theymayimpose“specialassessments”forimprovementsandmaintenancefor
one-timeevents,suchastorepairrecenthurricanedamage.
Concerns about HOAs
RecurringconcernsaboutthepowersandpracticesofHOAsfallintoseveralareas,including:
• powertoforecloseonahomeowner;• policiesonapplyingpaymentsreceivedfrom
homeownerstofinesandassessments;• excessivefinesleviedagainsthomeowners;• lackofregulationofelectionsandvoting;• applyingstateopenmeetingsandopenrecords
lawstoHOAs;and• prohibitingHOAsfromrestrictingcertain
improvements,suchassolarpanels.
WhiletheLegislaturehasenactedlawsinthepasttoreviseindividualaspectsofHOAgovernance,nosinglebillsignificantlyrevisingHOApracticesinTexashasmadeitswaytothegovernor’sdeskinrecentsessions.HB1976bySolomons,anomnibusbillseekingtomakebroadchangestoHOApracticesandprocedures,wasapprovedbytheHousebutdiedintheSenatein2009.TheLegislatureislikelyonceagaintoconsiderproposalsconcerningHOAsduringtheupcominglegislativesession.
Power of foreclosure
Proposalslawmakersmayconsiderin2011includerevokingHOAs’powerofforeclosureormandatingthattheytakeextrastepsbeforeforeclosingonahome.Frequentlydiscussedproposalsinclude:
• revokingthepowerofanHOAtoforecloseinfavorofalternativemeansofdebtcollection;
• allowingforeclosuresonlywhentheassessmentsahomeownerowesexceedapredetermined amount;
• requiringapaymentplanbeissuedtoahomeownerbeforeforeclosure;
• eliminatingtheoptionfornon-judicialforeclosures,possiblyreplacingthiswithan“expeditedjudicialforeclosure”option;or
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HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
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• requiring alternativemeansofsettlingdisputes,suchasprovidingarighttomediationbeforeattorney’sfeescouldbechargedinaforeclosuresuit.
TheauthorityofHOAstoforecloseonhomestocollectasubordinatelienfordelinquentassessmentsthehomeownerowestotheassociationisalong-standingissuefacingtheLegislature(seeHouseResearchOrganizationInterim News,“ForeclosurebyHomeownerAssociations:StrikingaBalance”,July2002).Thepowerderivesprimarilyfroma1987TexasSupremeCourtrulinginInwood North Homeowners Association v. Harris(736S.W.2d632)thataprovisionintheTexasConstitutionrestrictingforeclosuresdoesnotprotecthomeownersfromforeclosurefornotpayingmonthlyHOAassessments.Inthatcase,theSupremeCourtreversedaHoustonCourtofAppealsholdingandruledinfavoroftheInwoodNorthAssociation,whichhadforeclosedonahomeownerwhowasdelinquentinassessments.
InTexas,HOAsmayexecuteeitherjudicialornon-judicialforeclosure,dependingontheassociation’sdeclaration. Inajudicialforeclosure,theassociationfilesalawsuitandtriestogetajudgmentagainstapropertyowner.Inanon-judicialforeclosure,whichmustbespeciallyauthorizedinanassociation’sdeclaration,anHOAmustprovidenoticetoahomeownerthroughcertifiedmail,andifthehomeownerdoesnotpaytheassessmentsowed,theHOAmayofferthehouseforsaleatanauctionfortheamountofoutstandingassessments, withoutanorderfromajudge.Ifthereisasuperiorlienonaproperty,suchasamortgagelienfromabank,thenwhoeverpurchasesthepropertyatforeclosuredoessosubjecttothatlien.
In2001,the77thLegislatureaddedPropertyCode,ch.209,whichrestrictedforeclosurepowersofHOAs,includingprohibitingHOAsfromforeclosingonahomeownersolelytocollectfinesorattorney’sfeesassociatedwithfines.Theactalsoaddeda180-dayrightofredemptionperiodduringwhichahomeownercouldbuybackaforeclosedhome.
DebateonrevokingHOAforeclosurepower. SomesaythepowerofforeclosurebyHOAsshouldbe
revokedaltogether,whileotherssayHOAsneedthispowertofunctioneffectively.Stillotherssaythepowerofforeclosureshouldberestrictedandnon-judicialforeclosuresprohibited,withhomeownershavingtherighttopursueotheroptionsbeforeforeclosure.
Supporters of revoking or restricting the power of HOAs to foreclosesayHOAsarenotsubjecttoenoughchecksandbalancesanddonotprovidesufficientdueprocesstoexercisesuchafundamentalpoweroverhomeowners.TheysaythispowershouldbereservedforinstancesclearlylaidoutintheTexasConstitution—fordelinquenttaxes,mortgages,andliensforpropertyrepairandrenovation.Otherserviceproviders,suchasdoctors,lawyers,andmechanics,arenotempoweredbytheConstitutiontoforecloseonhomestocollectpayments,eventhoughtheyprovidenecessaryandimportantservices. Associationsalsohavepowersofnon-judicialforeclosurethatarenotavailableeventogovernmententitiestocollectdelinquentpropertytaxes.
Associationsshouldhavetousethesamedebt-collectionmethodsasothercommonnon-housing creditors,suchascollectionagenciesandsmallclaimscourts,supportersofrestrictingHOApowersay.Asanalternative,HOAscouldbeallowedtoplacepassiveliens,withoutforeclosurepower,onhomesofthosewhoowedelinquentpayments.Theassociationwouldcollectitsdebtifthehomeweresold,butitcouldnotforecloseonthehome.SupportersofrevokingforeclosurepowernotethatmanyHOAsneverfileforeclosurelawsuitsandthatthisshowstheycancollectassessmentswithoutexercisingforeclosureauthority.
SupportersofrestrictingHOAforeclosureauthoritysaythatsomeassociationsforecloseonhomesforminoroverdueamountsof$1,000orless,suchasthoserecentlyfeaturedinnationalnewsstories.TheDallas Morning NewsandNationalPublicRadiorecentlyranstoriesaboutanarmycaptainservinginIraqwhoseDallas-areahousewasforeclosedonandsoldbecauseheandhiswifeowed$1,000inassessmentsandlatefeestotheirHOA.InJuly,CNBCairedastoryonanHOAintheSanAntonioareathatforeclosedonahomeownerforlessthan$800inassessmentsowed.Supporterssaysuchexamplesarenotexceptional,butcommonplace.
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Opponents of revoking or restricting the power of HOAs to foreclose saywithoutthispower,HOAswouldhavenoeffectivewaytocollectoverdueassessments,enforcedeedrestrictions,provideessentialservices,andprotecthomeowners’investments.ServicesprovidedbyHOAs—suchastrashcollection,poolmaintenance,andsafetypatrols—reducethedemandforservicesfromcitiesandcountiesandhelppreserve,protect,andmaintainneighborhoods.ThepowertoforecloseisappropriateforHOAsbecausetheirdutiesaretiedtothesafety,security,andvalueofhomesandneighborhoods.Withoutforeclosurepower,associationscouldbecomelittlemorethan“civicclubs”withasmallnumberofmemberspayingdueswhilealargernumberrefused.If20percentoftheownersinanassociationstoppedpayingdues,opponentssay,remainingownerswouldhavetoincreasetheirassessmentsby25percenttomakeupthelossinrevenue.
Peoplevoluntarilybuyhomesinareasgovernedbyhomeownersassociationsandcontractuallyagreetoabidebytheirrules,includingtherightofforeclosure,opponentsofrevokingthispowersay.Whilethevastmajorityofhomeownerspaythemoneytheyowe,associationsneedflexibilitytoproceedwithforeclosureifitiswarranted.HOAsrarelyfileforeclosuresuits,andthenonlyasalastresort.HOAswanthomeownerstopaytheirfeessotheHOAcanperformitsduties.Fewforeclosuresuitsresultinthesaleofahomebecausehomeownersusuallypaytheirdelinquentobligationsorsettlethesuits.Taxingauthoritiesalsoforecloseonhomesfordebtslargeandsmall,andhomeownersassociationsarecomparabletotheseauthoritiesinsomeoftheservicestheyprovide.
TheTexasSupremeCourtandothercourtshaveupheldHOAs’righttoforeclose,andtheLegislatureshouldnotinfringeonthatcontractualright,opponentssay.Abusesofforeclosureauthoritybyafewassociationsareisolatedincidentsthatshouldnotbeusedasanexcusetodepriveallassociationsofavitaltool.
Open meetings, open records
AnumberofconcernsaboutHOAsrelatetorecordsandboardmeetings.Somehomeownerssaytheyhavenotbeenabletoacquirecertaindocuments,
suchasanassociation’sfinancialrecords,inatimelymanner.Othersclaimtheyhavenotbeenabletoaccessinformationreadilyaboutthetimeandlocationofboardmeetingsandagendasandthatsomeboardsabusethepowertoholdexecutivesessions,preventingownersfromviewingproceedings.SomehavesuggestedthatHOAsshouldbesubjecttothestate’sopengovernmentlaws—thePublicInformationActandtheOpenMeetingsAct—inordertomaketheiractivitiesmoretransparent.
Supporters of bringing HOAs under the Public Information and Open Meetings acts saytheselawswouldprovideaframeworkforholdingassociationsaccountabletohomeownersbecausetheyproviderealpenaltiesnotauthorizedincurrentlawgoverningHOAs.Theselawsestablishrequirementsfortimeframeswithinwhichrecordsmust beprovidedtoarequestor,typesofrecordsthatmustbeprovided,noticethatmustbeprovidedformeetings,andotherrequirements.Supporterssaythatbecauseassociationshavemanyofthepowersofgovernments,theyshouldhavesimilarobligationstoberesponsive,open,andtransparent.Supporterssaythecostsofcomplyingwiththeselawshavebeenexaggerated.
Opponents of bringing HOAs under the Public Information and the Open Meetings actssaytherequirementsoftheselawswouldbetooonerousforHOAs, whichdonothavethecapacitythatcitiesdotooperateundersuchrigidandtechnicalguidelines. TheysayHOAsareprivateentitiesoperatingonasmallerscalethangovernmentsandwouldbeundulyburdenedbyregulationscraftedforlargerbureaucracies.Manyassociationshavedifficultyevenachievingaquorumatboardmeetings.BringingHOAsunderstrictstatelaws,opponentssay,couldrequireanattorneytobeinvolvedineveryHOAmeetingbecauseofcriminalpenaltiesprovidedundertheselaws,drasticallyincreasingoperatingcostsformanyassociations.Thisalsowoulddetermanypotentialboardmembersfromservingbecauseoffearofpenaltiesandtheinvestmentoftimenecessarytoconformtothestatutes.Opponentssayitwouldbebettertocreateaseparate,moreflexiblelawforHOAswithsanctionsfornotprovidingrecordsinatimelymannerorholdingmeetingswithoutsufficient notice.
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HOA authority to collect fines
Somehomeownerssaytheyaresaddledwithdisproportionatefinesthatmaybeenhancedbyattorney’sfeesawardedtoanHOAthatprevailsinalawsuit.StatelawexpresslyallowsanHOAtofilesuitagainstahomeownerforviolationofanassociation’sdeclaration,suchasbymakingunapprovedadditionsornotmaintainingpropertytotheassociation’sstandards.Acourtmayassesscivildamagesof$200orlessforeachdayaviolationtakesplace.UnderPropertyCode,sec.5.006,aprevailingpartywhoassertsalegalactionmaycollectreasonableattorney’sfees,butthelawdoesnotauthorizepaymentoflegalfeesforaprevailingdefendant.
Supporters of restricting HOA authority to collect finessaycurrentprocessesforchargingandcollectingfinesareheavilyweightedinfavorofHOAsbecause petitioningtheHOAitselfistheonlyrecourseforahomeownerwhodisputesafine,otherthanpursuingcostlylegalaction.
SomesayHOAsandmanagementcompaniesshouldnothavethepowertolevyfines.Supportersofrestrictingtheauthoritytofinesayassociationsareprivateentitieswithauniquepowertofinehomeownersforviolationsonthehomeowners’ownpropertythatotherprivateentitiesdonotpossess.Otherssayfinesshouldhavestrictcapsinstatelawandthatwhenanassociationlosesasuititinitiatesagainstahomeowner,theassociationshouldhavetopayattorney’sfees.
SupportersofrestrictingtheauthorityofHOAstofinesayassociationscommonlychargeunreasonablefinesforviolationsandthatthesefinescompoundwithattorney’sfees.Forexample,anHOAinHoustonrecentlyfiledsuitagainstahomeownerforfailingtomakeroofrepairswithanapprovedmaterial.Theassociationisseeking$2,000indamages($200adayfor10days),$290forassessmentsandlatecharges,andatleast$2,500forattorney’sfees.
SupportersalsosaythatinmostcasestheHOAsuesthehomeowner,andassuch,theassociationisabletocollectattorney’sfeesforprevailing.Homeowners,wholessfrequentlysuetheirassociations,arelefttopaytheHOAsattorney’sfeesiftheylosebut stillmustpaytheir
ownattorney’sfeesiftheywin.Further,homeownersareessentiallypayingtwiceforattorneysfees—oncefortheirownattorneyandoncefortheassociation’sattorney,paidforinpartthroughassociationassessments.
Opponents of restricting HOA authority to collect finessayfinesareanecessarymeansforHOAstoupholdthevaluesandrulestowhichpropertyownersagreedbypurchasingahomeinthecommunityandtopreservethevalueofmemberhomes.Plannedcommunitiesareestablishedwithcertainvaluesanownerembracesbybuyingpropertyinthecommunity,contractuallyagreeingtocertainminimumstandards,andbecomingamemberoftheassociation.Associationsneedtheabilitytoimposereasonablefeestoensurethatmembersadheretothestandardsofthecommunitythattheyagreedtobypurchasingahomebenefitingfromtheassociation.OtherssaythestatecouldstrikeabalancebyrequiringHOAstopublishascheduleoffines andmakeitavailabletoallmembersandthatassociationmemberscouldreviseitiftheysochose.
Priority of payments
Somehaveexpressedconcernsaboutthewaymanyassociationsprioritizewhereahomeowner’spaymentswillbeapplied—toassessments,attorney’sfees,orfines.Somehomeownerssaytheirassociationshaveappliedtheirpaymentstofinesthatthehomeownerdisputes,insteadoftotheirassessments,allowingtheHOAtoholdtheminarrearsontheirassessmentandthreatenorpursueforeclosure.OnerecentproposaladoptedbytheHousebutnottheSenatewouldhaverequiredassociationstoapplypaymentsfirsttoassessments,thentofinesandotherfees,unlessthehomeownerrequestedotherwise.
Supporters of statewide requirements for priority of paymentssaysomeHOAsgetaroundstatelawsprohibitingforeclosingonhomeownersforfinesbyapplyingassessmentpaymentstofinesfirst,againstthewishesofthehomeowner.Supporterssayhomeownersarecommonlychargedunreasonablefinesforahostofviolations,suchasnotmaintainingtheirpropertytotheassociation’sstandardsorparkingimproperly,andthatpayingthesefinesmaymeanahomeownercannotaffordtopayanassessment.Homeowners
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inassociationsthatapplypaymentstofinesmaybethreatenedwithforeclosureiftheycannotaffordtopaybothfinesandassessments.SupportersofrestrictingthispracticesayitisclearlyatoddswiththeintentofstatelawthatprohibitsHOAsfromforeclosingforfines.StatewiderequirementsarenecessarytoclosethismajorloopholeinstatelawthatsomeassociationsareusingtosubverttheintentoftheLegislature,theysay.
Opponents of statewide requirements for priority of paymentssaysuchanapproachwouldbetooinflexibletosuitthediverserangeofHOAsacrossthestate.OpponentssayHOAshavefewwaystocollectfineswithoutgoingthroughcourtproceedings,whicharenoteffectiveforsmallamounts.AbetterapproachwouldbetorequireHOAstoadoptspecificpoliciesabouthowtheywillapplypaymentsreceived.Thesepolicieswouldhavetobeapprovedbythecommunitiesbymajorityvote,givingresidentsasayinhowtheircommunityprocessespayments.
Other proposals
Otherissuesthatlawmakersmayaddress inthe2011regularsessionincludeHOAvotingpractices,howassociationsmayamendtheirdeclarations,andrequiringassociationstofollowsomealternativedisputeresolutionprocessesbeforetakingformallegalaction.Proposalsforstatewiderevisionsthatlegislatorsmayconsiderinclude:
• changingHOAvotingprocedures,suchasrequiringanindependentthirdpartylikeaCPAtoverifyboardelectionresults,limitingthenumberofproxyvotes,andrequiringHOAstoallowabsenteeorelectronicvoting;
• requiringalternativedisputeresolution,suchasmediationbeforelegalaction,forHOAsandhomeowners,orestablishinganombudsman’sofficetoprovideaneutralforumtoresolvedisputes;
• prohibitingenforcementofcertainrestrictions,suchasthoseprohibitingparkinginthestreet,hangingsymbolslikecrossesormazuzahsondoorways,placingsolarpanelsonrooftops,orxeriscaping;and
• revisingHOAadministration,suchaseliminatingorcappingfeesthatassociations
ormanagementcompaniesmaychargeforcompilingresalecertificates,establishingtermlimitsforboardmembers,orrepealingorrevisinglawsthatprovidespecialauthoritytoassociationsintheHoustonarea.
Supporters of statewide restrictions on HOA practicessayabusesarefairlycommonacrossthestate,homeownershavelittlerecourseordueprocessundercurrentlaw,managementcompanieshiredbyHOAsoftenexploitexistinglegalimbalancestomaximizeprofitsattheexpenseofthehomeowner,andinmanycaseshomeownersareunabletoparticipateinandeffectchangeintheirHOAs.WiththeincreasingnumbersofHOAsinthestate,homeownersdonothaveagenuinechoicetomoveintonon-HOAneighborhoods.Supportersofstatewiderestrictionssaysubstantialchangetoexistinglawisnecessarytocorrectimbalances.SupportersalsosaymanyHOAsdonottrulyreflectthemajoritywillofpropertyownersduetooveruseofproxyvoting—thatis,oneownervotingforotherswiththeirapproval.Insomeassociations,dozensofpropertyownersmayberepresentedatameetingbyahandfulofmembers,eachwithmanyproxyvotes.
Opponents of statewide restrictions on HOA practicessayexamplesofabusiveHOAsarerareandhavebeenexaggeratedinthemedia.HOAsareacriticalmeansofpreservinghomevaluesandprovidingindispensibleservicesinthestate,opponentssay,andtheyneedtoretainpowerstoachievetheseends.PeoplewhomoveintocommunitiesorganizedunderHOAshaveampleopportunitytoreviewgoverningdocuments,andtheychoosetoabidebycertainruleswhenbuyingahomeintheneighborhood.Homeownersareempoweredtoparticipateintheirneighborhood’saffairsandremoveanassociation’sboardifitcontradictsowners’wishes.Opponentssaystatewiderestrictions,iftheyarenotcarefullycraftedandlimited,couldhinderallHOAsjusttoaddressafewproblemcases.
— by Andrei Lubomudrov
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on,butdidnotreport,HB2855byDuttonandHB672byHodge,bothofwhichwouldhaverequiredTexastocountinmatesattheiraddressesbeforeincarceration.Duringthe2001regularsession,theHouseElectionsCommitteefavorablyreportedasimilarbill,HB2639byDutton,whichtheHouserejectedby48-91-3.Inaddition,U.S.Rep. GeneGreen,D-Houston,hasfiledabillinCongress(H.R.2075)thatwouldrequiretheCensusBureautocountinmatesattheirpreviousaddressesforthe2020Census.
Supportersofthenewlawarguethatcountinginmateswheretheyareincarceratedartificiallyinflatesthepopulationsofruralareaswheremostprisonsarelocatedattheexpense ofurbanareaswheremostinmatescomefromandeventuallyreturn.Opponentssaythatcountinginmatesattheiraddressbeforeincarcerationignorestheimpactthatprisonpopulationshaveonthedistrictswheretheyareincarceratedandthatitwouldbeadministrativelyburdensome.
Three ways to count inmates
Threecommonapproachesforcountinginmatesforredistrictingpurposesincludecountinginmateswheretheyareincarcerated,notcountingthematallwhenestablishingdistrictbasepopulationsforredistrictingpurposes,orcountinginmatesattheirresidencebeforetheywereincarcerated.
Counting inmates where incarcerated
Countinginmateswheretheyareincarceratedisthemethodusedbyalmostallstatesandlocalgovernments.Itisthemethodusedforthefederaldecennialcensus,andinTexas,fortheredistrictingofcongressional,legislative,andstateboardofeducationdistrictsandformostlocalredistricting,suchasdividingTexascountiesintocommissionerandjusticeofthepeaceprecincts.
TheU.S.CensusBureauhascountedinmateswheretheyareincarceratedsince1850.Thisisconsistentwiththebureau’sgeneralpracticeofcountingindividualswheretheyreside,whichtheCensusBureaudefinesas“wheretheyliveandsleepmostofthetime.”TheBureau’sgoalistocountallthepeopleinthecountryandtiethemtoaspecificgeographiclocation.OthergroupstheCensusBureaucountswheretheyreside,ratherthanattheirpreviousaddresses,includecollegestudentsindormitories,seniorcitizensinretirementhomes,andstatesidemilitarypersonnelinbarracks.
Excluding inmates
Anotherapproachtocountinginmatesistoexcludethemfrompopulationcountsforthelimitedpurposeofredistrictingandrepresentation.Sometimescertainpopulationsegmentsareexcludedinthebeliefthattheyaretootransitoryorsimplydonotparticipatefullyinthelifeofthecommunity.
Afewstatesexcludemilitarypersonnelhousedonbasesorcollegestudentsindormitoriesforredistricting.Hawaiiexcludesmilitarypersonnel,andKansasexcludesbothmilitarypersonnelandcollegestudents.AccordingtoPrisonersoftheCensus,aredistrictingreformadvocacygroup,morethan100localgovernmentsacrossthecountryexcludeinmatepopulationswhendrawingrepresentativedistricts,suchascountycommissionersprecinctsorcitycouncildistricts.
SomeTexascountiesexcludeinmateswhenestablishingcountycommissionerprecincts.Anderson,Bee,Brazos,Coryell,Childress,Concho,Dawson,Grimes,Karnes,Madison,Mitchell,Pecos,Walker,andWoodcountiesallhaveexcludedinmatepopulationswhenestablishingcountycommissioner,justiceofthepeace,andconstableprecincts,accordingtostudiesinMarchandJunebyPrisonersoftheCensus.InAndersonandConchocounties,excludinginmatepopulationspreventedthecreationofprecinctsthatwouldhaveconsistedentirelyofinmates.
Inmates, from page 1
Counting inmates where they are incarcerated is the method used by almost all states and local governments.
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Whendrawingnewboundaries,thesecountiesexcludethepopulationsoffelony-levelprisons,aswellasinstitutionsthathouseillegalimmigrantsawaitingdeportationhearings.Countiesthatengageinthispracticesayithelpsprotecttheone-person,one-voteprinciplebecauseincarceratedfelonsandillegalimmigrantscannotvote.Thesecountiesincludepopulationfromjuveniledetentionfacilities,whichhousepeopleuptoage21,becausesomestillmaybeeligibletovote.Thispracticeaffectsthedrawingofboundariesfortheelectionofothercountyleveloffices,suchasjusticesofthepeaceandconstables,aswellasdesignatingelectionprecincts.WhileJPsandconstablesdonotholdrepresentativeoffices,theirboundariesoften
aredrawntoconformtoplansforcountycommissionerscourtssothatelectionprecinctsacrossthecountymaybeusedforallcountyoffices.
Texascountieshavewidediscretionwhencraftingcountycommissioner,justiceofthepeace,andconstableprecinctsunderArt.5,sec.18oftheTexasConstitution.TheseprecinctsaresubjecttorequirementsofthefederalVotingRightsActintendedtopreventdiscriminationagainstminorityvotersordilutionoftheirvotes.WhenthesecountiessubmittheirplanstotheU.S.DepartmentofJusticeforpre-clearanceundersec.5oftheVotingRightsAct,theydetailwhichfacilitieswereexcluded,arguingthatthosepopulations
Statesmustadjusttheboundariesoftheirlegislativedistrictseverydecadeinordertocomplywiththeconstitutional,one-person,one-voterequirement.In1973,theU.S.SupremeCourtruledinMahan v. Howell, 410U.S.315,330-332,thatstatesdonotnecessarilyhavetousecensusdataforlegislativeredistrictingortoshowcompliancewiththeone-person,one-voterequirement.
UndertheU.S.SupremeCourt’sholdinginBurns v. Richardson,384U.S.73,92(1966),excludingcertainpopulationsinredistrictingispermissibleifitresultsinadistributionoflegislators“notsubstantiallydifferent”fromwhatwouldresultifstatecitizenpopulationwereused.InBurns,theCourtsaidithadnotrequiredstatestoincludealiens,transients,short-termortemporaryresidents,orthoseconvictedofacrimeandthereforeunabletovote,eitherinapportioningstatelegislativedistrictsortoshowcompliancewiththeEqualProtectionClause.
Untilitwasamendedin2001,theTexasConstitutionrequiredthatstateSenatedistrictsbedrawnbasedon“qualifiedelectors”—thoseeligibletovote—ratherthanonthetotalpopulation.Whiletherequirementhadlittlepracticaleffectafterthe“one-person,one-vote”SupremeCourtdecisionsofthe1960s,whichrequiredthatlegislativedistrictsbedrawn basedonequalpopulation, thenGov.BillClementsvetoedalegislativeredistrictingplanin1981becauseitdidnotapportionstateSenatedistrictsonthebasisof“qualifiedelectors.”
In1981,AttorneyGeneralMarkWhitesaidinanopinionthattheconstitutionalprovisionrequiring“qualifiedelectors”ratherthanpopulationasthebasisofsenatorialdistrictswasunconstitutionalonitsfaceandinconsistentwiththefederalconstitutionalstandard.TheopinioncitedKilgarlin v. Martin,252F.Supp.404,411(S.D.Tex.1966),whichfoundthestateconstitutionalprovisionviolatedtheEqualProtectionClausebecauseitdidnotrequire thatsenatorialdistrictsbeapportionedonapopulationbasistoproducedistricts ofasnearlyequalpopulationaspracticable.In2001,theprovisionoftheTexasConstitutionrequiringtheuseofqualifiedelectorsforSenatedistrictswasrepealedbyTexasvotersaspartofa“clean-up”amendmentintendedtoremoveobsoleteprovisions.
Excluding certain populations in redistricting
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arenoteligibletovoteandincludingthemwouldundulyskewthecounty’sone-person,one-votegoals.Somecountiespointoutthatanyadditionalminoritypopulationnumbersaprisonordetentionfacilitymightcontributetowardcreatingaminorityopportunitydistrict—whichisadistrictwithaminoritypopulationlargeenoughtoselectarepresentativeofitschoice—wouldnottranslatetovotingpowerbecauseinmatescannotvote.
Counting inmates at previous residence
Anotherapproachtocountinginmatesistocountthemattheaddresswheretheylivedbeforetheywereincarcerated.Marylandwillusethismethodforredistrictingin2011,aswillNewYorkandDelawareundertheirrecentlypassedlaws.
InMaryland,thefirststatetoimplementthelaw,stateofficialsareseekingtocompileanaccuratelistofpreviousresidencesforinmatescurrentlyhousedthere.TheirinitialstepwastogatherpreviousaddressesfromarrestrecordsandrecordsfromMaryland’sDepartmentofCorrections.Afterexaminingtheseaddresses,Marylandofficialscrosscheckedinmateidentificationnumberswithcourtrecords.Sometimesonerecordfilledingapsinanotherrecord.Forexample,anunusable,fictionaladdressonanarrestrecordcouldbesupplantedbyacorrectaddressfromacourtdocument.Theresultingdatacontainusablepreviousaddressesforallbutafewthousandinmates,accordingtotheMarylandDepartmentofLegislativeServices.Thethirdstepwillbetocontactinmatesdirectlywhenausableaddresscannotbedeterminedfromofficialrecords.
Onceanaccuratelistiscompiled,Marylandwillusethedatatoidentifyinmatesattheaddressesatwhichtheylivedbeforebeingincarcerated.Thestatewillusethisadjustedcensusdataduringits2011redistrictingprocess.
District size
Countinginmatesattheirpreviousresidencesorexcludingthemfromthepopulationforredistrictingpurposeswouldaffectequalpopulationrequirementswhendistrictsareredrawnusingthenewcensusdata.
Districtsofequalsizeareintendedtoensurethateachresidenthasequalinfluencewithgovernmentandelectedofficials. CourtshavestrictlyinterpretedArt.1,Sec.2,oftheU.S.Constitution,whichstatesthatrepresentatives“shallbeapportionedamongtheseveralstates…accordingtotheirrespectivenumbers,”asrequiringU.S.congressionalHouseseatsinthesamestatetohavepopulationsthatareasequalaspossible.
Thecourtshaveallowedsomedeviationfromexactpopulationequalityforlegislativeandotherdistrictswhenjustified.TheU.S.SupremeCourtheldinReynolds v. Sims,377U.S.533(1964),thattheEqualProtectionClauseofthe14thAmendmentrequiresonlythatstatelegislativedistrictsbesubstantiallyequalinpopulation.LaterSupremeCourtcaseshaveestablishedthatforstatelegislativedistricts,thecombinedtotaldeviationofthelargestandsmallestdistrictsfromtheidealdistrictpopulationcannotbegreaterthan10percent.Theidealdistrictpopulationisdeterminedbydividingthetotalstatepopulationbythenumberofdistricts.
Debate about where to count inmates
InTexas,inmatesarecountedforredistrictingpurposesmostlyinthedistrictswheretheycurrentlyarehoused.Advocatesforchangingthecurrentapproachhavearguedforeithercountinginmatesattheiraddressesbeforeincarcerationorexcludingthemaltogetherfrompopulationcountsforredistrictingpurposes.
Counting inmates at their previous address
Supporters of counting inmates at their addresses before they were incarceratedsayitwouldcreatemoreequitableresultsunderthe“oneperson,onevote”equalpopulationprincipleandwouldallowthedistrictsfromwhichinmatescametoretaintheresourcestheyneedtoservetheinmatepopulationwhentheyreturntotheirdistricts.Theysayanyadministrativechallengesassociatedwithidentifyingaddressescanbeovercome.
One person, one vote.Supporterssaycountinginmatesattheirpreviousaddresseswouldcreatemoreequitableresultsunderthe“one-person,one-vote”equal
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districtpopulationrequirementestablishedbytheU.S.SupremeCourtinaseriesofdecisionsbeginninginthe1960s.Whendistrictshaveequalnumbersofpeople,eachperson’svotecountsthesameasthatofapersoninaneighboringdistrict.Forexample,adistrictwith100people,10ofwhomarenon-votinginmates,hasonly90peoplewhocanvote,andthusinfluencetheirrepresentative.These90peoplehavethesamevotingpoweras100peopleinadistrictwithnoinmates.Everyurbaninmatecountedasaruralresidentdecreasesthenumberofvotingruralresidentsrequiredforaruraldistrict.Asthenumberofvotingresidentsdeclines,theweightofavotebyaruralresidentincreases.These“phantom”ruralresidentshavesignificanteffectsondistrictcompositioninTexas.IntwocurrentTexasHousedistricts,inmatesmakeup12percentofthepopulation.Iftheinmatepopulationwereremovedfromthesedistricts’populationcounts,theywouldhavetoexpandgeographicallytobewithintheallowableequalpopulationrequirements.
Effects on district. Inmates’homecommunitiescannotaffordthelossinpopulationandsubsequentpoliticalcloutthatfollowinmatestowheretheyareincarcerated.Becauseinmatesdonotparticipateinthecommunitiesinwhichtheyareincarcerated,theirpopulationnumbersandpoliticalpowershouldstayinthecommunityfromwhichtheinmatescameandarelikelytoreturn.Supporterssayurbanareaslosesignificantpopulationwhencommunitymemberswhocommitcrimesaresenttoruralprisonsforincarceration.LargeurbanareaslikeHarrisandDallascountiescanlosethousandsofinmatestoruralcounties.AccordingtoNewYorkUniversity’sBrennanCenterforJustice,ofthemorethan650,000peoplewholeaveprisoneachyear,almostallofthemwillreturntotheirhomeneighborhoods.Whentheseinmatesreturn,theywillneedservicesandresourcestheirhomedistrictsmightnothavebeenabletosecureduetothetemporarylossofpopulationandpoliticalpower.
Inmate representation. Whilemanylegislatorsmaydoexemplaryworkrepresentinginmatestemporarilylocatedintheirdistricts,thefactthatinmatescannotvotemeanstoomanyareignored.Constituentserviceshouldbeconsideredadutyoflawmakers,andinflatedpopulationcountsshouldnotbearewardforhavingalargeinmatepopulation.
Administrative challenges.Thechallengesofidentifyingpreviousaddressesforinmatescanbeovercomeoncestatesdevelopandimplementreliablesystemsforgatheringaddresses.Forinstance,localpolicedepartmentsandthecourtscanbeinstructedtonotacceptP.O.boxesasresidences,buttorequireaphysicallocation,astheCensusBureaudoes.Moderndata-basesoftwareenablesstatestoadjustcensusdatabycountinginmatesattheirpreviousresidences.
Comparison to other groups. Inmatescanbedistinguishedfromothertemporaryresidentgroupswhoarecountedwheretheyreside.Thosecountedingrouphomesawayfromtheirhomeresidences,suchasmilitarypersonnelandcollegestudents,aremorelikelytoparticipateintheircommunitiesthanareinmates.Theseothertemporaryresidentgroupsalsoarelesslikelytoresettleintheirpreviouscommunitiesthanarereleasedinmates.InmatesaremoreappropriatelycomparedtomilitaryandU.S.StateDepartmentemployeesservingoverseas.ForapportionmentofU.S.Houseseats,overseasfederalemployeesarecountedinthestateswheretheyhave“enduringtiesandallegiance,”astandardapprovedbytheU.S.SupremeCourtinFranklin v. Massachusetts,505U.S.788(1992).Becausebothgroupsusuallyreturntothecommunitiesfromwhichcame,bothshouldbecountedintheirhomecommunities.
Opponents of counting inmates at their addresses before they were incarceratedsaythatinmatesshouldbecountedinthedistrictsinwhichtheycurrentlyareusingresourcesandthatidentifyingreliablepreviousaddressesforallthosewhoareincarceratedwouldbeadministrativelyburdensome.Inaddition,opponentssay,itwouldnotachievetheoneperson,onevoteidealbecauseasignificantnumberofconstituentsotherthaninmateswhoeithercannotvoteorarepresentinadistrictonlytemporarilyalsoarecountedinthedistrictinwhichtheyreside.
One person, one vote. Countinginmatesattheirpreviousaddresseswouldnotachievethe“oneperson,onevote”ideal.Electedofficialsrepresentasignificantnumberofconstituentsbesidesinmateswhocannotvote,suchaschildrenandnon-citizens,andpeoplewhoarepresentinadistrictonlytemporarily,suchascollegestudents.Whiletheseresidentsalsohave
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significanteffectsondistrictcompositioninTexas,theynonethelessarecountedaspartofthedistrictpopulationwheretheycurrentlyreside.Thesameprincipleshouldapplytothoseresidinginadistrictduringthetimetheyareincarcerated.
Effects on district.Thosewhoareincarceratedshouldbecountedwheretheyarehousedbecausethatiswheretheycurrentlyareconsumingresourcesandwheretheirpresenceiscurrentlyfelt.Whileurbancountiesmaylosepopulationwhenthosewhocommitcrimesaresenttoruralprisons,ruralcountiesalsolosepopulationtourbancountieswhenstudentsgoawaytocollege.Inaddition,therearenoguaranteesthataninmatewillreturntoapreviousaddress,whichisonereasonthatcensusofficialsofferforwhyinmatesarenotcountedattheaddresstheymaintainedbeforebeingincarcerated.Inmanycases,itmaybeyears,sometimesdecades,beforeinmatesreturntotheirpreviouscommunities,ifatall.
Inmate representation. Inmatesshouldbecountedwheretheyaredemandingservicesfromtheirlegislativerepresentatives,whichisinthecommunitywheretheyareincarcerated. Legislatorsfromdistrictsthathouselargeinmatepopulationssaytheytreattheirnon-votingincarceratedinmatesastheywouldanyotherconstituent.Inmatesknowtheirlocallegislatorsareresponsibleforconstituentserviceandtheydemandandreceivesuchservice.Inaddition,whiletheformercommunitiesofinmatesmightgainincreasedpoliticalcloutbyhavinginmatescountedthere,thiswouldnotimprovetherepresentationoftheinmatesthemselves,whodonotlivethere.
Administrative challenges.Countinginmatesattheirpreviousaddresseswouldposeadministrativechallenges,especiallycompilinganaccuratelistofpreviousresidences.CompilinganaccuratelistofaddressesisespeciallyimportantforcraftingU.S.Housedistricts,whichmusthaveabsolutelyequalpopulations,requiringthatareliableaddressbefoundforeachandeveryinmate.Inimplementingitsnewlaw,MarylandhasfoundaddressesthatnolongerexistandP.O.boxeslistedasaddresses,accordingtoMaryland’sDepartmentofLegislativeServices.
TheCensusBureauhasresistedcallstocountinmateswheretheylivedbeforetheywereincarcerated,sayingitisimpossibletoknowiftheinmatewilllivethereagain.Thebureaualsosaysitwouldhavetoobtaininformationfrominmates,thentiethatinformationbacktoaspecificaddressintheinmates’previouscommunities.Thebureauhasneithertheresourcesnorexpertisetocarrythisoutacrossthecountrybecausetherecordskeptbystateandlocalofficialsvaryandmaynotbereliable.
Comparison to other groups. Opponentsofcountinginmatesattheirpreviousaddressessaythatwhilefederalemployeesstationedabroadarecountedattheaddresswheretheylivedbeforebeingstationedoverseas,CensusofficialssaythisisbecauseofthereliabilityofStateandDefenseDepartmentrecordsandbecausethesegroupsreturntocertainspecificlocationsrequiredbytheiremployer.Itissufficientlycertainthesefederalemployees,unlikeinmates,willreturntothecommunitiesinwhichtheypreviouslyresided.Opponentssaythatforredistrictingpurposes,inmatesaremoreappropriatelycomparedtocollegestudentsandmilitarypersonnelinbarracksintheUnitedStates.Thecensuscountstheseindividuals,housedinlargegroupsettings,asresidentsofwheretheyarehoused.Moststatesdothesameforredistrictingpurposesbecausethesegroupsheavilyimpactthecommunitiesinwhichtheylive.
Excluding inmates
Supporters of excluding inmates from population countssayitwouldavoidshiftsoflegislativecloutfromonedistricttoanotherandwouldbesimpletoadminister.
One-person, one-vote.Excludinginmatesfrompopulationcountsforredistrictingwouldsubstantiallyfurthergoalsofone-person,one-votebypreventinginmatesfrombeingusedas“phantom”residentsthatartificiallyinflatethesizeofanydistrict.
Effects on district.Excludinginmatesalsowouldpreventanunnecessarytransferofpoliticalinfluencetoanyparticularlegislativedistrict.Inmateswouldnotbecountedinthedistrictswheretheyarehousedbutdid
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notwillinglylocateandcannotparticipate,norwouldtheybecountedinthedistrictsfromwhichtheycamebutnolongerliveandmightnotreturn.
Inmate representation.Whilelawmakersstillwouldhavetorepresentandperformconstituentservicesforinmateseveniftheirnumberswereexcludedforredistricting,constituentrepresentationandserviceshouldbetreatedasaresponsibilityevenwithouttherewardofinflatedpopulationnumbers.
Administrative challenges.Excludinginmateswouldbeaneasypolicytoimplementbecauseitwouldnotrequiretheonerouscompilationofsometimesquestionablepreviousaddresses.StateofficialscanreadilyidentifyandstripoutinmatepopulationsfromdatatheCensusBureaualreadycollects,andmanyTexascountieshavedonesointhepastforredistrictingpurposes.
Opponents of excluding inmates from population countssaydoingsowouldcausethepopulationbasisofdistrictstobeunfairlyskewed.
One-person, one vote.Excludinginmatesfrompopulationcountsstillwouldnotachievethe“oneperson,onevote”idealbecauseotherconstituentswhocannotvoteorwhoarepresentinadistrictonlytemporarilywouldcontinuetoinflatethevotingpowerofpermanentresidentswhocanvote.Electedofficialsrepresenteveryoneintheirdistricts,notjustthosewhovote.
Effects on districts.Excludinginmatesstillwouldrequiretheboundariesoflegislativedistrictswithlargeinmatepopulationstoberedrawninordertomakecongressionalseatsequalandtoensurethatthepopulationsofstatelegislativeseatswerewithintheallowable10percentdeviation.Somedistrictswouldhavetogrow,causingarippleeffectwithpopulationtakenfromotherdistrictstocompensatefortheremovalofinmatesfromthepopulationbase.
Inmate representation.Likeeveryoneelse,inmatesneedtoberepresentedintheLegislature.Themosteffectivevoicetoheartheirconcernsisthelegislatorinwhosedistricttheyreside.Legislatorsrepresentinmatesjustastheywouldanyotherconstituentandshouldbeallowedtocounttheseinmatesaspartofthepopulationoftheirdistricts.
— by Tom Howe
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Staff:Tom Whatley, Director; Laura Hendrickson, Editor; Rita Barr, Office Manager/Analyst; Catherine Dilger, Kellie Dworaczyk, Tom Howe, Andrei Lubomudrov,Carisa Magee, Blaire Parker, Research Analysts
John H. Reagan BuildingRoom 420P.O. Box 2910Austin, Texas 78768-2910
(512) 463-0752
www.hro.house.state.tx.us
Steering Committee:
David Farabee, Chairman Bill Callegari, Vice Chairman Drew Darby Harold Dutton Dan Gattis Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles Carl Isett Susan King Jim McReynolds Jose Menendez Geanie Morrison Elliott Naishtat Rob Orr Joe Pickett Todd Smith
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