Texas Self Storage Association Seeks to Update Chapter 59 of State Lien Statute

Update 5/10/23 – House Bill 2574 has passed the Texas House of Representatives. It received 99 out of 150 votes. The Senate Business & Commerce Committee will now consider the measure, according to the Self Storage Association’s May 8 newsletter to members.

3/1/23 –  A bill to alter part of the Texas lien statute has been introduced to the state legislature. The Texas Self Storage Association (TSSA) is supporting House Bill (HB 2574), which was filed by House Representative Stan Lambert (R) of Abilene, Texas, according to the association’s Feb. 24 newsletter to members.

Lambert, who serves on the House Business and Industry Committee, is supporting a change to Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code, which outlines the processes self-storage operators must follow for conducting lien sales. The proposal seeks to address the “unfairness of the current requirement to use only a print newspaper for the two required ads to get bidders to the foreclosure auction,” the newsletter stated. If passed, the revised code would allow operators to advertise their sales using alternative methods.

There are 32 states that allow for alternatives to newspaper advertising for self-storage lien sales, including six that don’t require any form of advertising at all. Legislative changes are underway in nine additional states, according to the source.

TSSA members visited the state capitol last week to talk with legislators. “Our hope is that the bill is reported favorably out of committee once it has been granted a hearing,” the newsletter stated. The association is asking members to call or visit with their state representatives and senators to ask them to support the bill. It has also provided background information and talking points they can use during these conversations.

Established in 1986, the TSSA is dedicated to enhancing the quality of the self-storage industry in Texas. It provides opportunities for members to increase their knowledge of the business through education, research, discussion and exchange of information.