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 legislative session must adopt a state budget for the next two years. The legislature entered this session with a near-record surplus of $24 billion. The final version of the budget in S.B. 1 totals $338 billion, an 8.3 percent increase over the last budget and a 43 percent increase over the budget from four years ago. Unlike the 3.5 percent annual cap on counties, the legislature is free to expend all increases in revenue from sales taxes, severance taxes, federal grants, and other sources.
Fortunately, the legislature found some beneficial uses for the surplus revenue. Funds were appropriated under S.B. 1 for the next two years and also under H.B. 500 for the current fiscal year. The legislature allocated $6.5 billion for school property tax relief and provided the first increase in public school funding in five years.
The Texas Water Fund will receive $1 billion per year to begin the process of resolving our water crisis. The Texas Historical Commission will receive $100 million for the courthouse grant program. The governor appropriated $64 million for disaster relief and $95 million for major events grants.
Texas Health and Human Services received $2.15 billion for mental health programs and facilities, some of which had been previously authorized. The Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program was immediately appropriated $44 million and an additional $192 million for the next two years. The Juvenile Justice Department received $104 million for 200 new beds and $13 million to reimburse counties for holding state juveniles. The Rural Law Enforcement Grants were appropriated $330 million to continue the S.B. 22 grants for another two years.
In a major legislative accomplishment, the legislature approved H.B. 3000 to create the Rural Ambulance Grant Program and appropriated $89 million for county grants to purchase and equip new ambulances. This success was accomplished by the entire CJCAT team and especially Program Director Rick Thompson.
The legislature failed to accept responsibility and fund the county taxpayer cost of indigent defense, attorneys for CPS cases, mental health and juvenile inmates, and parole violators. These state-mandated costs will continue to compel property tax increases on county citizens.
A county exemption from the state motor fuel tax was approved, and the bid limit was increased to $100,000. There were also numerous good and bad bills that died during the session. S. B. 19, the silence county officials bill, died in the House.
Most of the changes will be effective on Sept. 1, 2025. Remember that Gov. Abbott has the final verdict until June 22, 2025.
Additional details will be presented in future columns.
The successes demonstrate the extraordinary efforts by the members of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, the Legislative Committee, and your staff. Thanks to all who participated.