In December, city council voted to phase out the horse-drawn carriages operating in downtown San Antonio over the next five years.
SAN ANTONIO — A proposed house bill is directly challenging a city council decision to phase out horse-drawn carriages from downtown San Antonio.
In December, city council voted to phase out the horse-drawn carriages operating in downtown San Antonio over the next five years, citing concerns of the horses’ wellbeing and the rapid growth of San Antonio. The duration would decrease every six months until the beginning of 2030.
House Bill 5356, brought forth by Representative John Lujan hopes to keep and protect horse carriages downtown.
“When I talked to the owners and they said the majority of that council has never stepped foot on their property, I just don’t think that’s right for elected officials not to make that fully informed decision,” Lujan explained. “Nobody does it like San Antonio, the horse carriages, and it’s something that people know us by. And, that’s why I filed the bill. I just didn’t think it was fair.”
Five horse carriage companies are located in downtown San Antonio: Yellow Rose, HRH, Lollypop, Blue Bonnet and Lone Star. The bill not just stops cities from getting rid of horse carriages, but also stops anything else that prohibits or limits them.
“We think it’s a very complimentary relationship,” said Art Martinez de Vara, attorney for four out of five of the companies. “You know, the horse carriage industry, the city’s efforts to encourage tourism, whether it be finalizing the Alamo or all the other things that they’re doing downtown.”
In a statement, the city wrote:
“As always, the City will comply with applicable law, including proposed bills that may be ultimately passed by the Legislature.”
The bill is still making its way through the Texas house.