Legislative Services

This week's Tuesday Morning Breakfast opened and closed over the course of a brisk half hour. The first weeks of most legislative sessions are a time for planning and discussion – a period for monitoring bills that have been filed and scanning the horizon for new ones. Breakfast participants heard a brief survey of the current legislative landscape, identifying opportunities and challenges ahead.

County officials, with the help of TAC's Legislative Services team, continue to analyze bills, meet with legislators and prepare for the torrent of activity to come.

The County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas and its publication, County Progress magazine, have highlighted the association's legislative priorities through articles featuring county officials' perspectives. Rick Thompson, CJCAT's program director, encouraged attendees to read this ongoing series for insight into these priorities.

Thompson also flagged House Bill 363 by Rep. Keith Bell (R-Forney) and its Senate companion, SB 103 by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood). The bills would amend the Water Code to require petitioners seeking to create a municipal utility district to notify the county's commissioners court by certified mail before filing their proposal. The notice must include district boundaries and allow the commissioners to submit written opinions.

Rockwall County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lorne Liechty endorsed the need to reform the rules governing special utility districts, which have full taxing authority. Requiring county approval before creating new districts is a CJCAT priority.

More than 3,900 bills have been introduced so far. We're tracking bills that affect county government. Find them here.

TAC's Tuesday Morning Breakfasts will keep you on top of the latest developments at the Capitol. Join us either in person or online each Tuesday from 7 to 8 a.m. through May 27.

Register here for the Feb. 18 Tuesday Morning Breakfast.