While no sweeping collections changes were put into place, uncollectable fines and fees and jail credits were addressed by the 87th Texas Legislature, along with a bill that corrected unintended consequences from past collections-related legislation. Senate Bill 346 passed in 2019 presented several challenges, observed Jim Lehman, former collection program manager for the … [Read more...] about 87th Texas Legislature – Lawmakers Address Uncollectible Fees/Fines, Jail Credits
86th Legislative Session
Fine and Fee Collection
Challenging Times Call for Examination of Revenue Sources
Throughout 2019, local governments dependent upon the property tax carefully followed the progress of Senate Bill 2, passed by the 86th Texas Legislature and signed by the governor last June. Property taxes are the primary funding source for Texas counties, and S.B. 2 reduces this funding potential. “Maximizing additional revenue sources will be essential,” said Jim … [Read more...] about Fine and Fee Collection
KEY CONCEPT: Cybersecurity
KEY QUESTION: Are county employees and elected officials required by law to complete cybersecurity training? MAIN REFERENCE POINT: Information Resources Act, Government Code, Chapter 2054, New Section 2054.5191 TALKING POINTS: House Bill 3834 passed by the 86th Texas Legislature requires certain local government employees and elected officials to complete a … [Read more...] about KEY CONCEPT: Cybersecurity
Changes in Purchasing-Related Statutes of Special Interest to Counties
During the 86th Legislative Session, a number of laws passed that require specific actions to keep the county in compliance with purchasing-related statutes. H.B. = House Bill S.B. = Senate Bill • H.B. 440 – governs use of unspent proceeds of issued general obligation bonds. • H.B. 793 – amends H.B. 89 (2017) to limit the applicability of the prohibition on certain … [Read more...] about Changes in Purchasing-Related Statutes of Special Interest to Counties
An Abridged Guide to the 86th Texas Legislature for County Clerks
Because of the wide-ranging duties of the office of the county clerk, no legislative session ends without affecting the business processes of that office in one way or another; this is also true of the Regular Session of the 86th Texas Legislature. The following is just a sampling of the bills passed in 2019 that county clerks will need to familiarize themselves … [Read more...] about An Abridged Guide to the 86th Texas Legislature for County Clerks