For @bradj_TX and the readers: I am the Senate Chair of the Local Government Committee. I ran the hearing on this bill, SB 854, by Senator @mayes_middleton in 2025. This was the "Yes in God's Backyard" bill. It was brought by a combination of Christian pastors of multiple denominations and many non-denominational groups. Several of those have extensive national reputations and a history of conservative philosophical views. SB 854 simply allowed religious institutions to use a portion of their property to build affordable housing, helping hardworking families obtain needed affordable housing. To Rep. @chiproytx’s legitimate question of who would use this bill if passed, I can tell the large & impressive list of organizations, non-profits, pastors, dioceses, et al., that testified in FAVOR of the bill: Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops @TXCatholic, Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission @TexasBaptists, Ecclesia Church @ecclesiahouston, The Diocese of Austin @austindiocese, Texas Farm Bureau @texasfarmbureau, Texas Association of Business @txbiz, Americans for Prosperity @AFPhq, Goldwater Institute @GoldwaterInst, Buckner International @buckner_intl, Texans for Housing @TexansHousing, Texans for Reasonable Solutions @TXReasSolutions, Texas Public Policy Foundation @tppf, Texas 2036 @texas2036, Texas Eagle Forum @TexasEF, Texas Conservative, coalition Research Institute @txcc, Texas Association of Builders @texas_builders, Texas Values @txvalues, Texas Realtors @txrealtors, Habitat for Humanity @habitat_org, Real Estate Council of Austin @RECA_austin, @dallashousingco, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity @DallasHabitat. I was at the hearing. I ran the hearing. I know what was discussed, and this bill would have had the same usage pattern as ESAs do now or any similar program if passed finally. It had not yet gone through floor debate, amendments, passed the Senate, much less gone to the other chamber for their consideration. My committee passed 9 other housing affordability bills, all with statewide impact, that went into law. To say otherwise is not to recognize the obvious facts. #txlege Senator Paul Bettencourt Chair, Local Government Committee