In a sudden show of agreement, a Senate committee unanimously approved a bill this morning that would restrict homeowner associations from banning solar panels.
The Intergovernmental Relations committee voted on an amended bill that would allow HOAs to prohibit a panel if it sticks off the roof, looms above a fence or turns into an eyesore.
Chairman Royce West, D-Dallas, who sponsored the bill, said HOAs could still ban solar panels if they "caused unreasonable discomfort to a person of ordinary sensibilities."
Senators fought over the bill during public testimony in early March. Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, feared it would permit monstrosities akin to the Starship Enterprise.
West noted Gallegos's previous comment this morning. "I assure you," he said, "We have provided a docking station for the Starship Enterprise."
Gallegos seemed to agree. He voted for the bill along with Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, who had expressed concern that unregulated solar panels would resemble spaceships.
The bill was placed on the fast track to passage. It follows a handful of others, including ones that give homeowners greater voting rights in their associations and help ensure military families don't lose their homes to HOA foreclosure.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/hoa-bill-restricting-solar-pan.html
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