If you’re one of the many folks in Lubbock who’ve turned a kitchen table into a business headquarters, a sewing room into an Etsy shop, or a garage into a tutoring space—get ready to celebrate.

House Bill 2464

Last week, Governor Greg Abbott signed the Home-Based Business Fairness Act (House Bill 2464) into law, giving everyday Texans the freedom to run legitimate businesses from the comfort of their own homes—without jumping through endless hoops at city hall.

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Texas Legislature Returns For Third Special Session
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The bill, authored by Representative Cole Hefner and Senator Mayes Middleton, pushes back against overreaching regulations that have long stood in the way of entrepreneurs just trying to make a living. And here in Lubbock—where folks are known for their grit, creativity, and can-do spirit—that’s especially good news.

What Does This New Law Mean for the Hub City?

Well, if you’re baking cupcakes in your kitchen for a little side income, giving violin lessons in your living room, or making handcrafted furniture in your garage, you no longer need government permission to do so—as long as your business isn’t disrupting the neighborhood.

Cities will still be able to deal with real nuisances like traffic or excessive noise, but they won’t be able to issue blanket bans or drown home business owners in red tape just for peacefully earning an income.

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Texas House Republicans Reconvene Session After Democrats Head To D.C. In Attempt To Break Quorum
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The Goldwater Institute, which helped develop the model for this legislation, praised the move as a huge step toward protecting economic freedom. They said it best:

“If a mom can teach her daughter piano at home, why should she be penalized for teaching someone else’s?”

The Bottom Line

HB 2464 restores common sense, giving more Lubbockites the chance to chase their dreams—whether that’s opening a tax prep business from a home office or running a boutique online store from a guest bedroom.

With the cost of living on the rise and more people seeking flexible work-from-home opportunities, this law couldn’t have come at a better time!

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Texas Governor Abbott Holds Bill Signing To Create A Texas DOGE Office
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So hats off to Rep. Hefner, Senator Middleton, and Governor Abbott for putting power back in the hands of the people—and opening the door for more Lubbock locals to turn their passions into paychecks.

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Gallery Credit: Landon King

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With Lubbock’s scorching summers, surprise cold snaps in winter, and dry-but-dusty windstorms blowing through, our garages basically become mini-saunas or meat lockers, depending on the time of year. And while we may not deal with the deep Southern humidity, temperature swings and invading critters still pose a serious threat to anything you’re trying to preserve out there.

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Pics from the 2024 Hub City BBQ!

Gallery Credit: Landon King

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