House Bill No. 3172 aims to regulate municipal oversight of multifamily and mixed-use developments on religious land in Texas. The bill introduces a new subchapter to Chapter 212 of the Local Government Code, which includes definitions for terms such as "group home," "heavy industrial use," "mixed-use," "multifamily," "religious land," and "supportive housing." It stipulates that municipalities must permit multifamily and mixed-use developments on religious land and cannot impose certain zoning or land use changes, such as requiring special exceptions or variances. Additionally, the bill outlines specific prohibited municipal requirements, including restrictions on building height, setbacks, and parking requirements, while still allowing municipalities to enforce general regulations applicable to other developments.

The legislation also establishes a duty for municipalities to approve applications for multifamily or mixed-use developments on religious land if they meet existing land development regulations, except for those involving prohibited requirements. It provides a mechanism for affected individuals or housing organizations to take legal action against municipalities that violate the provisions of this subchapter, including the ability to seek declaratory judgments, injunctions, and damages. The bill emphasizes that governmental immunity is waived to the extent of liability created by these provisions, and it is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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