The Woodlands Township board approves letter backing bill to let counties regulate roadside vendors

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors voted to approve a letter supporting House Bill 2012, which would extend to additional counties the authority to regulate roadside and parking‑lot vendors and solicitation in unincorporated areas.

Board members discussed the bill’s potential to allow Montgomery County and similar jurisdictions to address roadside solicitation and related homelessness outreach that has been a focus of the township’s homelessness task force. “The letter before you just expresses support for that bill,” said Todd Stevens, who presented the item for staff. The motion to approve the letter was moved by Director Franks and seconded by Director Snyder; the board approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: supporters told the board HB 2012 was introduced by Representative Cecil Bell and would create a new population‑category threshold under state law to permit certain counties to regulate vendors and solicitors along public rights‑of‑way. Board members said a state senator had requested the township’s support to demonstrate local backing during a late stage of the legislative session.

During discussion staff described how the township’s homelessness task force had documented local needs and opportunities to get services and resources to people in need; the letter cites that work as context behind the township’s endorsement. A board member told the meeting the letter was requested by Senator Brandon Creighton, and staff said they had checked the township’s legal position before including the township in the request.

Next steps: board staff will transmit the approved letter to the township’s state legislative contacts. Board members noted the bill was out of committee and must clear the House by a legislative deadline discussed in the meeting as “the fifteenth” of the month in which the session is acting; staff encouraged coordinated outreach with the township’s lobby team.

Ending: The item passed with the single motion; no amendments or conditions were added by the board.