Legislative Services

The Texas Association of Counties resumed its regular Tuesday Morning Breakfast legislative briefings this week following last week's Counties at the Capitol Legislative Day. The meeting provided county officials with updates on the latest legislative developments, including Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency priorities and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's legislative agenda.

TAC Legislative Director Caroline Love opened the meeting by outlining the seven emergency items in Abbott announced in his State of the State address on Sunday: property tax relief, water infrastructure, bail reform, cybersecurity, teacher pay, career training and school vouchers. The governor's "emergency" designation allows the Legislature to act immediately on proposed legislation; otherwise, lawmakers must wait 60 days from the session's start before they can vote on a bill.

Additionally, Love noted that the Senate Finance Committee is in its second week of budget hearings. House committee assignments are expected soon.

Visit our state budget worksheet for details on funding important to counties in the baseline appropriation bills proposed by the House and Senate. TAC is closely monitoring the budget-writing process and will update the worksheet as the session progresses.

Jim Allison, senior general counsel for the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, highlighted two key takeaways from recent developments. First, Patrick unveiled the first 25 of a promised 40 legislative priorities. Among them is a measure to prohibit so-called taxpayer-funded lobbying, which could limit counties' ability to effectively advocate for their interests at the Capitol. Patrick's list includes only the titles of his priorities. Counties will analyze the actual bill language as it is released.

Second, Allison flagged Abbott's call for additional property tax relief. The governor wants legislation requiring counties and other local taxing entities to secure approval from two-thirds of voters before raising tax rates beyond the state's current 3.5% threshold. This supermajority requirement could severely affect county funding and services, Allison said.

More than 3,400 bills have been introduced so far. We're tracking all legislation affecting county government, as well as bills relevant to specific county offices. Find them here.

TAC's Tuesday Morning Breakfasts will keep you informed on the ever-changing legislative landscape at the Capitol. Join us in person or online each Tuesday from 7 to 8 a.m. through May 27.

Register here for next week's Tuesday Morning Breakfast.