Legislative Services

Easter weekend often provides a moment in which to take a deep breath before the final, frantic sprint of the legislative session. Starting next week, the House and Senate will begin a six-week push toward sine die on June 2.

TAC Board President and Yoakum County Commissioner Tim Addison joined this week’s Tuesday Morning Breakfast, welcoming attendees and thanking them for their hard work. He shared a timely reminder from Benjamin Franklin: "Diligence is the mother of good luck."

There are 44 days left in the regular session of the 89th Legislature, but the real time crunch is much tighter. In just three weeks, House bills not yet heard in committee will be effectively dead. The deadline for House committees to report bills is May 12.

Key Legislation Discussed

Here are a few of the top bills highlighted during this week's breakfast:

House Bill 3000 by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) would create a grant program for counties with populations under 68,750 to buy ambulances. Administered by the state comptroller, the program would award grants up to $500,000. A priority of the County Judges and Commissioners Association, the bill passed the House Public Health Committee on Monday. Its companion, Senate Bill 1377 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), is pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

House Bill 755 by Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) would bar counties and other public entities from hiring lobbyists without a public vote and full online disclosure. It would also ban reimbursement for lobbyist entertainment expenses. The bill was left pending in the House State Affairs Committee after a Monday hearing.

House Bill 1522 by Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Smithville) would amend the Open Meetings Act to require meeting notices be posted at least three business days in advance and include a physical copy of the proposed budget when it’s on the agenda. The House passed the bill on April 9.

HB 2287 by Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) would allow crime victims to sue judges or magistrates for up to $10 million if they unlawfully release violent felony suspects on personal bond. Judicial immunity would not apply. The bill was left pending in the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee on Wednesday.

HB 3900 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City) would require counties to invest at least 35% of available funds in certain accounts held in Texas-based banks. It was left pending in the House Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee after a Monday hearing.

HB 4803 by Rep. Spiller would create multicounty elected district attorney offices in four regions — Northeast, Central, Southeast and South Texas. These state-funded prosecutors would have statewide powers and authority to reassign cases within their region.

For a more complete look at recent legislative actions, refer to this newsletter’s Bills on the Move article. To see all tracked bills organized by county office, visit our Bills by Office webpage.

Budget Update

TAC Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst Zelma Smith provided a budget update Tuesday morning. Conferees from the House and Senate have been appointed to reconcile differences between each chamber’s version of the 2026-27 budget. For more details, see Smith’s budget update article in this newsletter.

Next Breakfast Meeting

Join us in person or online for our next Tuesday Morning Breakfast on April 22 at 7 a.m. Register here.