'Positively un-Texan:' Republicans look to rein in HOA restrictions on religious symbols FacebookTwitterEmail The flags fly at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2020.Billy Calzada, Staff / Billy Calzada Homeowners associations in Texas would be barred from restricting property owners from putting up religious displays in their yards under a new bill filed in the Texas Legislature. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, called the legislation a “slam dunk” and said some homeowners associations have gone too far in hassling property owners about their religious expression. “The bottom line is simply that if a homeowner wants to display a Nativity scene, put a cross or Menorah on their door, or exercise their religious freedom, whatever their religion might be, a homeowners association should not have the right to prevent that,” Bettencourt said.