After several years of proposals, withdrawals, and litigation, the U.S. Department of Labor has implemented a final rule that raises the minimum salary threshold for employees from $23,660 per year to $35,568 per year to qualify as exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, effective Jan. 1, 2020. The new limit does not change the duties test or the method of … [Read more...] about Overtime Eligibility Rule Change
From the General Counsel
Interim Senate Committee Charges
Interim Senate Committee Charges After each legislative session, the standing committees are assigned issues to study during the interim. The committees will examine these issues, conduct public hearings, and prepare a report with legislative recommendations for the next session. The lieutenant governor assigns issues to the Senate committees, and the Speaker assigns issues … [Read more...] about Interim Senate Committee Charges
Implementing New Laws
Many of the statutes adopted by the 86th Legislature were effective on Sept. 1, 2019. Some require action by the Commissioners Court to assure compliance. Below are summaries and recommendations for implementation of some of the new statutes. Mental Health Interview: H.B. 601 by Rep. Price requires an interview and mental health report on any jail inmate suspected of mental … [Read more...] about Implementing New Laws
Pretrial Intervention Program Fund
The Texas Attorney General has provided guidance on the proper use of the pretrial intervention program fund. Attorney General Opinion KP-0263 (2019) determined that the Commissioners Court must “ultimately decide how to expend the pretrial intervention program special fund.” Article 102.0121 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a prosecutor may … [Read more...] about Pretrial Intervention Program Fund
Mandated Mental Health Jail Inmate Interviews and Reports
For several years, the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas has supported legislative proposals to improve mental health programs. There have been some improvements in state funding. In 2010, Texas ranked 50th among the states in mental health funding; by 2017, we had improved to 40th. Nevertheless, county jails continue to hold more mentally ill persons than … [Read more...] about Mandated Mental Health Jail Inmate Interviews and Reports