KEY QUESTION: Do Commissioners Courts have animal control authority? MAIN REFERENCE POINT: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 TALKING POINTS: Counties and cities are not required to provide animal control services. Counties and cities may adopt the provisions of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 and implement rules or ordinances to prevent stray … [Read more...] about Animal Control
Key Concept
Burial of Paupers
*** Click here for the audio version.*** Are Texas counties responsible for the burial of paupers? According to Section 694.002, Health and Safety Code, “The Commissioners Court of each county shall provide for the disposition of the body of a deceased pauper. The Commissioners Court may adopt rules to implement this section.” If a county discovers cash in the possession … [Read more...] about Burial of Paupers
Regulating Traffic on County Roads
KEY QUESTION: Can Commissioners Courts regulate traffic on county roads? MAIN REFERENCE POINTS: Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 541-Chapter 545, Title 7, Subtitle C, “Rules of the Road,” also known as the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 251, Subchapter E, part of the County Road and Bridge Act TALKING POINTS: … [Read more...] about Regulating Traffic on County Roads
Artificial Intelligence
*** Click here for the audio version.*** Are county employees and elected and appointed officials required by law to complete artificial intelligence (AI) training? House Bill 3512 passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and effective Sept. 1, 2025, amended the Government Code to require local government employees and elected and appointed officials to complete annual AI … [Read more...] about Artificial Intelligence
Budget Funds
Can a county carry over unexpended budget funds or transfer budget funds? MAIN REFERENCE POINTS Local Government Code Section 111.004 Local Government Code Section 111.010 TALKING POINTS: Section 111.004, Local Government Code states that a county budget must include a financial statement of the county that shows:\the outstanding obligations of the … [Read more...] about Budget Funds