Legislative Services

Each week for the next month or so may feel like whack-a-mole week as hundreds of bills are considered, making it hard to know what will happen when. To help county officials navigate this chaotic phase of the session, Shannon Edmonds, executive director of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, referred to the motivational parable known as “The Starfish Story” during this week’s Tuesday Morning Breakfast.

You may be familiar with the story. A person walking along a beach where thousands of starfish have washed ashore sees a boy picking up starfish one by one and tossing them back into the ocean. The person asks, “Why are you bothering? There are so many starfish, you can't possibly make a difference.”

The boy picks up another starfish, throws it into the water, and replies, “I made a difference to that one.”

The story illustrates how individual actions, no matter how small, can make a big difference to someone or something. In terms of the Legislature, Edmonds advised focusing on the bills where you can make the most impact.

Each week’s legislative breakfast briefing covers a range of bills affecting county government. Here’s a summary of key bills discussed this week:

• House Bill 3000 by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) would create a grant program to support ambulance services in rural counties with populations of 68,750 or fewer. It was left pending in the House Committee on Public Health after a Monday hearing. The Senate companion, Senate Bill 1377 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), was left pending in the Senate Finance Committee following a Wednesday hearing.
• HB 1461 by Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) would require state agencies to assume custody of certain individuals within 45 days or compensate counties for continued confinement costs. The bill was left pending in the House Corrections Committee after a Wednesday hearing.
• HB2637 by Rep. Mano DeAyala (R-Houston) would impose a $50 jury fee in civil cases and require that a written demand for a jury trial be made at least 30 days before the trial date. Failure to meet these requirements would result in the case being heard without a jury. The bill cleared the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence on Thursday.
• SB 38 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) would revise eviction procedures, clarifying justice courts' jurisdiction, venue transfer conditions, time computations and authority over eviction processes. It passed the Senate Committee on State Affairs on Monday.
• HB 33 by Rep. Don McLaughlin Jr. (R-Uvalde) would require that law enforcement agencies create active shooter response protocols based on best practices. It also requires schools and districts to implement safety plans designed to protect students and staff during emergencies, ensuring they are prepared for potential active shooter situations. The bill is pending in the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs.
• HB 3199 by Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) would require that notices of delinquent taxes and penalties be sent to property owners by certified mail, ensuring proper notification before penalties are applied. The bill has yet to be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee.

More than 3,000 bills filed this session affect county government. The Texas Association of Counties is tracking them all. Find them here.

There are 58 days left in the 140-day regular session of the 89th Legislature. Stay up to date by joining TAC's Tuesday Morning Breakfasts in person or online each week at 7 a.m.

Register here.