Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Positive | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
Relating to information a municipality may consider in determining
the amount of certain building permit and inspection fees.
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 855 would prohibit municipalities from considering the value of a dwelling or the cost of constructing or improving a dwelling in determining the amount of a building permit or inspection fee. The bill would additionally prohibit the municipality from requiring the disclosure of said information in the process for obtaining a building permit.
Texas Action supports SB 855 for promoting the principles of limited government and free markets. This bill would help to plug a loophole by which municipalities could extort unnecessary fees from permits and inspections for the purpose of raising revenue. Municipalities should take care to ensure that fees are applied in a broad-based and equal manner and are not depended upon as a source of revenue.