Legislative Services

Sunday marks the 70th day of the 140-day regular session of the 89th Legislature. Seventy days in, 70 days to go. But who’s counting?

(Well, apparently, we are. ...)

The bill-filing deadline passed last week on March 14. This week’s Week in Review breaks down the total bill count and compares it with past sessions. The Texas Association of Counties is tracking the 3,000 or so bills affecting county government. Find them here.

Here’s a look at some of the bills highlighted during this week’s Tuesday Morning Breakfast:

• House Bill 32 by Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Garland) would revise eviction procedures, potentially increasing eviction filings. The bill remains pending in the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee after a hearing on March 12.
• HB 355 by Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) would require the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to accept custody of youth committed to the department within 30 days or reimburse counties for detention costs. It remains pending in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee after a Thursday hearing.
• HB 3900 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City) would require counties to invest at least 35% of available funds in authorized investments at banks located in Texas. The bill was filed March 6.
• Senate Bill 8 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) would require sheriffs in counties with more than 100,000 residents to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. Smaller counties could opt in. The bill also establishes a grant program to support these efforts. It remains pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee after a hearing on Monday.
• SB 76 by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) would eliminate countywide polling, requiring all counties to return to precinct-based voting. Several commissioners courts statewide have passed resolutions supporting countywide polling. Sherman County Combination Clerk Laura Rogers, legislative co-chair with the County and District Clerks’ Association, recently discussed the issue on TAC's podcast, Texas County Voice. The bill remains pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee after a hearing on Thursday.

Gideon v. Wainwright Anniversary

This week’s Tuesday Morning Breakfast coincided with the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1963 Gideon v. Wainwright decision, which affirmed the right to legal representation for criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney. Geoff Burkhart, Travis County’s executive for community legal services, gave a presentation on the case. County officials also met with legislators to discuss indigent defense funding.

Texas ranks 46th in per capita indigent defense funding. Indigent defense funding varies among the states, with some covering most if not all of the cost. Burkhart noted that in Texas, counties shoulder 90% of the cost. That and other information can be found on a document he prepared.

Keep up with the ever-changing legislative landscape by joining TAC’s Tuesday Morning Breakfast, in person or virtually, from 7 to 8 a.m. through May 27.

Register here.