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HB3114

Regular Session

Relating to the view of the State Capitol.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies

City of Austin Planning Department • State Preservation Board

HB3114
Relating to the view of the State Capitol.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote128 - 16
YEA
89% in favor144 voting
Senate Vote30 - 1
YEA
97% in favor31 voting
17
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
City of Austin Planning DepartmentState Preservation Board
Primary Author: Rep. Charlie Geren
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate effect triggered by supermajority vote, overriding the standard September 1 date).
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate. Design teams and legal counsel must update zoning overlays immediately to avoid under-design liability or undervaluation of assets.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The State Preservation Board is not required to issue new rules, but the City of Austin must administratively update its GIS and zoning overlay maps to align with state deregulation. Expect a "regulatory gray zone" of 30-90 days while City staff reconcile local ordinances with this state mandate.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Update Maps: Order engineering teams to remove the Mueller, I-35/MLK, and Oakwood CVC overlays from all active site plans immediately.
  • Audit Pending Permits: If you have a permit application filed with the City of Austin limited by these corridors, file an amendment immediately to request greater height/density.
  • Freeze Dispositions: Halt sales of affected land assets until a new "highest and best use" analysis is completed.
  • Verify Title: Contact title officers to remove CVC-related exceptions from title commitments for affected properties.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Purchase & Sale Agreements (PSAs): Pause execution on any PSAs for land within the Mueller, I-35/MLK, or Oakwood zones. The removal of height restrictions likely increases asset value; sellers should re-appraise, while buyers should push to close immediately.
  • Architectural Services Agreements: Amend scopes of work for projects in affected zones. Designs based on previous CVC limitations are now obsolete and potentially liable for "under-design" if they fail to utilize the newly available vertical density.
  • Contingencies: Review contracts with contingencies based on "obtaining height variances." These contingencies may now be satisfied by operation of law, triggering non-refundable deposits or closing deadlines.

Hiring/Training

  • Design Teams: Architects and civil engineers must be briefed immediately to stop using pre-June 2025 CVC overlay maps for the I-35/MLK, Mueller, and Oakwood sectors.
  • Appraisers: Retain appraisers immediately to re-evaluate land basis based on standard zoning height limits rather than CVC limits.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • GIS Data: Internal GIS systems must be updated to remove the following corridors: Robert Mueller Airport, Martin Luther King Blvd at IH-35, and Oakwood Cemetery.
  • Zoning Verification: Request updated Zoning Compliance Letters from the City of Austin for affected parcels to formally document the removal of the state overlay for title insurance purposes.

Fees & Costs

  • Valuation Increases: While there are no new state fees, property owners in deregulated zones should anticipate higher property tax appraisals from the Travis Central Appraisal District in the next cycle due to increased development potential.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • State vs. City Preemption: While the State has removed the *State* view corridors, the City of Austin maintains local ordinances that mirror these maps. It is unclear if the City will automatically recognize the deregulation or require a City Council vote to amend the local CVC map. Risk: City staff may continue to enforce the "local" corridor until the City Code is formally amended.
  • "North End" Definition: The law exempts the "north end" of the UT Stadium from specific height caps but does not define the geometric boundary of the "north end." Contractors must seek specific boundary definitions from the University of Texas System before finalizing structural designs.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 20, 2025
Passed House
Apr 23, 2025
Passed Senate
May 25, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--higherEducation--higher--athleticsHighwaysState Capitol Building & GroundsUniversity of Texas At Austin
03

House Authors

Rep. Charlie GerenRepublican · Primary Author

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Charles CreightonRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB3114

Q

What does Texas HB3114 do?

HB3114 immediately deregulates vertical construction limits in Central Austin by abolishing four specific Capitol View Corridors (CVCs) and raising height caps for the University of Texas Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. This action instantly alters the "highest and best use" valuation for real estate assets near Mueller, I-35/MLK, and Oakwood Cemetery, requiring developers and land owners to update feasibility studies and pause pending real estate transactions to reassess value. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate effect triggered by supermajority vote, overriding the standard September 1 date).

Q

Who authored HB3114?

HB3114 was authored by Texas Representative Charlie Geren during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB3114 signed into law?

HB3114 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB3114?

HB3114 is enforced by City of Austin Planning Department and State Preservation Board.

Q

How urgent is compliance with HB3114?

The compliance urgency for HB3114 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB3114?

The cost impact of HB3114 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB3114 address?

HB3114 addresses topics including education, education--higher, education--higher--athletics, highways and state capitol building & grounds.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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