When the Texas Legislature meets, there are always changes that impact procurement. If you search the statutes, you will see that these changes have already been incorporated into the language. If you search the individual bills, you will more easily see the changes that were made, https://capitol.texas.gov/. The Big Change! SB 1173 increased the formal bid limit for … [Read more...] about Legislative Changes Impacting County Procurement
89th Texas Legislature
89th Texas Legislature
CJCAT County Impact Analysis
The Regular Session of the 89th Texas Legislature began with a $24 billion surplus and high hopes for action on several important issues. County priorities included additional funding for mental health and indigent defense, and new funding for rural ambulance services. While significant funding was included for rural ambulance services, the county taxpayers remain financially … [Read more...] about 89th Texas Legislature
Win Some, Lose Some, Some Get Rained Out
The old baseball expression “win some, lose some, some get rained out” is applicable to the legislative process. This column is submitted at the close of the 89th Regular Session but prior to the veto deadline by Gov. Greg Abbott. However, it is clear that counties have registered some successes and some losses, and some issues are postponed until the next session. Each … [Read more...] about Win Some, Lose Some, Some Get Rained Out
Resolution Spotlight: Rural Ambulance Funding
An ambulance desert is defined as an area in which people are more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station. According to a national study and related research report, “Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services,” 94.9 percent of Texas counties include an ambulance desert. The data, released in May 2023, also indicated that Texas has the third-highest … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Rural Ambulance Funding
Significant Legislative Activity
With a total of 8,898 bills and joint resolutions filed, the legislative session will definitely include numerous bills with significant effect on counties. Bills often undergo major changes as they progress through the committee and floor process. To receive timely updates, please monitor the Texas Association of Counties listserv. Under Section 5, Article III, Texas … [Read more...] about Significant Legislative Activity