CJCAT Senior General Counsel Jim Allison has updated the CJCAT Bills of Interest List: Good Bills – Need Support HB 103 by Murr – Allows a retired judge with 96 months of service to serve as a retired visiting judge to a constitutional county court. HB 251 by Murr – Assess visiting statutory probate judge fees against estate. HB 458 by Craddick – Require Texas … [Read more...] about CJCAT Bills of Interest
Jim Allison
Early Session Legislative Update
Early Session Legislative Update By CJCAT Senior General Counsel Jim Allison The 140-day Regular Session of the 88th Legislature has begun, and more than 2,500 bills have already been filed in the House and Senate. Senate Committee membership has been announced by the lieutenant governor, and House Committee appointments will be made shortly by the speaker of the House. … [Read more...] about Early Session Legislative Update
The Addiction Epidemic
As the widespread use of vaccines has reduced the spread of COVID, we have experienced a dramatic increase in the addiction epidemic. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 11.3 million people in Texas are living with substance abuse disorder in their families. Approximately 100,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United … [Read more...] about The Addiction Epidemic
Second Special Session Report
After failing to pass any legislation in the First Called Session due to a lack of a quorum in the House of Representatives, the Second Called Session sent 14 bills and one constitutional amendment to Gov. Greg Abbott. Some of these bills will have a significant effect on counties. S.B. 6 by Sen. Huffman will revise the bail bond system in Texas. Defendants charged … [Read more...] about Second Special Session Report
Changes in County Government Legal Requirements
Counties are governed by the Texas Constitution, legislative statutes, court decisions, and orders and regulations from the governor and state agencies. This column will discuss some recent changes affecting Commissioners Courts. VIRTUAL MEETINGS OF COMMISSIONERS COURTS In March 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott suspended certain provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act to allow … [Read more...] about Changes in County Government Legal Requirements