Several important bills have been filed affecting county government. Since bills are often amended, please check the current version before contacting your senator and representative to support or oppose these bills.
Good Bills
HB129 by Rep. Berman – Allows sheriff to use inmate labor on non-profit projects approved by commissioners court.
HB132 by Rep. Hilderbran – Allows county health services district to adjust sales tax.
HB305 by Rep. Goodman – Clarifies that less than a quorum can meet without violating Open Meetings Act.
HB347 by Rep. Chisum – Providing authority for a county to charge a fee for pipelines in county road.
HB477 by Rep. Casteel / SB142 by Sen. Wentworth – Expands county land development authority after referendum.
HB631 by Rep. W. Smith – Expands county fire code authority to include multifamily dwellings.
HB653 by Rep. Casteel / SB141 by Sen. Wentworth – Authorizes counties to adopt additional subdivision regulations.
HB667 by Rep. Jones / SB210 by Sen. Carona – Authorizes increase in courthouse security fee to $10 from $5.
HB731 by Rep. Jackson – Authorizes county electronic requisition systems.
HB757 by Rep. Farabee – Authorizes counties to enact ordinances for health, safety or welfare.
HB845 by Rep. Krusee – Exempts courthouse holding cells from jail standards.
HB848 by Rep. Herrero – Increases the county optional motor vehicle registration fee to $20 from $10.
HJR20 by Rep. Hilderbran – Constitutional amendment to prohibit unfunded mandates.
SB57 by Sen. Nelson – Authorizing county regulation of billboards.
SB243 by Sen. Wentworth / SB282 by Sen. Malda – Requiring disclosure of real property purchase price to appraisal district.
Bad Bills – Need Work
HB159 by Rep. Talton – Prohibits political subdivision from spending funds for advertising or educational materials on referendum measures.
HB182 by Rep. Mowery / SB181 by Sen. Janek – Authorizing appraisal appeals to J.P. court.
HB457 by Rep. Dutton – Expands county liability for conditions caused by motor-driven equipment.
HB634 by Rep. Baxter / SB286 by Sen. Wentworth – Requires training in Open Meetings and Open Records within 30 days of assuming office.
HB786 by Rep. Hope – Restricts county authority to prohibit solid waste disposal.
HJR16 / HB108 by Rep. Wong – Caps property appraisal increases at 5 percent.
HJR28 / HB359 by Rep. Bonnen – Caps property appraisal increases at 3 percent.
HJR35 / HB784 by Rep. Bohac – Caps property appraisal increases at 5 percent.
HJR36 / HB819 by Rep. Leibowitz – Caps property appraisal increases at 4 percent.
SB230 by Sen. West – Increases county indigent health care liability to 200 percent of poverty; transfers county funds to state tertiary fund.
For more information, please call me at 1-800-733-0699.
Jim Allison, General Counsel CJCAT