83R8650 JNC-F

By: Murphy H.R. No. 494

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Texas Apartment Association marks a notable milestone in 2013 with the celebration of its 50-year anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The association traces its origins to 1963, when individuals from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin saw a need to bring rental housing owners together to discuss issues of importance, advocate for fair legislation, and promote professionalism within the industry; and

WHEREAS, TAA represents 10,700 individuals, who have responsibility for nearly two million rental housing units across the state and provide housing to more than four million Texans; members hold property with a combined market value of more than $150 billion and pay property taxes exceeding $3 billion while employing 70,000 full-time employees; and

WHEREAS, The standardized lease contract forms and other operational forms that are available to TAA members have played a pivotal role in promoting consistent, fair, legal, and predictable standards of operation for rental properties of all types across Texas; in 1996, TAA gave these lease forms to the National Apartment Association as a template that could be adapted for use nationwide, and 43 states currently participate in this lease program; and

WHEREAS, Supporting legislation that protects the interests of both renters and property owners, TAA has advocated for security deposit and security device legislation, habitability standards, ownership disclosures, pool yard enclosures, and smoke detectors; and

WHEREAS, The organization has also encouraged professionalism in the rental housing industry, developing professional certification programs for apartment managers (CAM), maintenance staff (CAMT), property supervisors (CAPS), and leasing professionals (NALP); initially developed by TAA volunteers, these standards were ultimately adopted by the National Apartment Association for use nationwide; in addition, TAA sponsors educational seminars, webinars, and an annual education conference to provide learning opportunities to members; local associations supplement these efforts with many more educational offerings at the regional level; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, the group formed the TAA Education Foundation to endorse industry careers and to develop and support the creation of undergraduate and graduate programs in the rental housing arena; TAAEF also established a free "Renting 101" online course for high school students and other first-time renters, used in classrooms around the state, and thousands of students have benefited from this resource; and

WHEREAS, TAA has a long track record of communicating with members about issues that are important to rental housing operators; publications include regular articles offering guidance on legal issues that affect members; and

WHEREAS, The work of the Texas Apartment Association has benefited many property owners and renters in the Lone Star State, and the conclusion of its first illustrious half century provides a fitting opportunity to recognize this worthwhile organization; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor the Texas Apartment Association on the 50th anniversary of its founding and commend the group for its many contributions to residents of this state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.