[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653978,"mediaKeyId","2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335","parentId",2477680,"title","Travis County outlines local bill package, including Austin State Hospital lease for jail-diversion work","audioSeconds",481,"startMs",395000,"endMs",876000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335&start=395&end=876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335/thumbnail_395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653978/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Travis-County-outlines-local-bill-package-including-Austin-State-Hospital-lease-for-jail-diversion-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653978-d6cfb507418aab3fc03891ed9028b069/orig.mp4?Expires=1775323527&Signature=oiIaE~BeMIoF2F6dfqIoDwEZJUzMWlggfMBIi9A5p3NEoFvGw5VU4NYsse5CBFmt5E5j~VZpcIIYMKkLsu~~vN0MhYSGIdZB2umePyF41HvVvqt4Qp-XXEAvy0BPV-7GGdQ-PPhe8yoVGBqetnioT74-IvZTgyWBz1PplA25Y4N3ekPxj3KJpfJRiWwbuEUzB1E3E-SKXe7T9Loct2nUGSzYZCI1JHhqgB3d2-HqxZYZKO8Y5560oOEZ-xytUSZhqdOFXWqBTdLOATqmhnyMlSbQR~y5WDDhZ1JSp4VbSMhCP1VMyycFlnZ~sO640Poh7UPU5NpM7cZSrFN6kFBBiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","Travis County deputy intergovernmental relations officer Cecily Kaye told a joint subcommittee of county, city and school officials on March 3 that the county is pursuing six local bills this legislative session, including a proposal to allow state-owned Austin State Hospital property to be leased to the county for mental‑health and jail‑diversion services.

The county’s proposal would authorize the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to lease decommissioned buildings and vacant land on the Austin State Hospital campus to Travis County so the county can develop a mental‑health jail diversion center, Kaye said. County staff have secured sponsors in both the state House and Senate but had not filed the bill as of the presentation; Kaye said the county expected to file before the March 14 bill‑filing deadline.

Kaye said the county has been working for more than two years on alternatives for people in the county jail who need care for behavioral health or substance use disorders and that the county lacks crisis‑care beds and a single “no‑wrong‑door” drop‑off point for first responders. The proposed lease authority is intended to help address those gaps in the continuum of care.

Beyond the Austin State Hospital bill, Kaye described five other priorities in the county legislative package:
- Fire‑code enforcement: A bill, filed by Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Rep. Lulu Flores, would allow counties and emergency service districts to enter interlocal agreements for enforcement and administration of county fire codes.
- Surplus property donation: A bill (noted in county materials as also filed in the Senate as SB1713) would modify a three‑part statutory test that currently prevents counties from donating surplus computers if a small residual dollar amount remains, enabling donations to local programs such as the City of Austin’s Community PC program.
- County bail bond board meetings: HB3566 (as presented) would let the Travis County bail bond board meet fewer than monthly—requiring at least six meetings a year—because the board often lacks business or quorum for monthly meetings; the proposal is bracketed to apply only to Travis County.
- Deer management at Balcones Canyon Preserve: A bill (filed by Rep. Weiner) would allow the county to hire professional agents to conduct precise deer management on the Balcones Canyon Preserve, which is home to federally protected species and borders roughly 19,000 residential properties.
- Waste management in extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ): A bill (noted in county slides and also filed in the Senate as SB1714) would allow counties, if commissioners court chooses, to provide waste‑management services in a city’s ETJ where a city does not provide those services; Kaye said the county spends at least $1 million annually on cleanup of illegal dumping.

Kaye also flagged a set of bills that would change how local governments issue certificates of obligation (COs) and how bond and tax elections are approved. Proposals tracked by the county would restrict CO issuance to legally required purposes (for example, to comply with state or federal law, court orders, public‑health emergencies or natural disasters), prohibit CO issuance if a similar bond failed within five years, and raise vote thresholds for bond or tax increases—some proposals would require two‑thirds or 60% approval. Kaye said the county was monitoring those measures because they would affect local capital finance options.

Kaye opened the presentation by summarizing session timing: the 2025 regular session runs through June 2 and the last day to file bills is March 14, with limited exceptions. She also noted that the pre‑filing period has been unusually active; as of her briefing the Legislature had filed roughly 5,443 bills.

Kaye concluded by inviting questions and saying county staff were tracking a broad set of bills that affect county operations and intergovernmental partners.

The county presentation included the statutory and procedural points the staff relied on; Kaye attributed legal authority and bill numbers as described above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Austin City/AISD/Travis County Joint Subcommittee - Mar 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Travis County deputy intergovernmental relations officer Cecily Kaye told a joint subcommittee of county, city and school officials on March 3 that the county is pursuing six local bills this legislative session, including a proposal to allow state‑owned Austin State Hospital property to be leased to the county for mental‑health and jail‑diversion services.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653963,"Joint subcommittee approves Dec. 3 minutes, sets future meeting dates and adjourns",4175,37000,4212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335&start=37&end=4212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335/thumbnail_37000.jpg","/articles/6653963/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Joint-subcommittee-approves-Dec-3-minutes-sets-future-meeting-dates-and-adjourns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653963-c0a85cdf772ea3fb070da48becc00e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775323527&Signature=A0EklWk21tqhExiOoOo4Yg26BqIQyJdEjrQpnFpLGyHj1eG7awiyLr-DfAzZnlAEUtnv9Ye~GxwDgmhCyYrI1T0gE3pDekjl5dQ3yLWGmgL5FbWIbOj2HGqKN56w8uJ2VAlsbABU-FoN797n7RRfb9AY4wbGRWPflzmgmEzeT-ddfGQCg96ON9kYr5IdwKnN-ewlPJSNEDgW9zfXDfkNigyGpxKxTaHN3ZkQZyjOzgtFaliyNFhB-SK5lkANeDd-TG7aIiJ7Akb1qRn2yymooEkT5AAUjcSx-I9~qapkeVzElzKw32cyG73w6YHzc6hADqAMcy2tQfmqH0MXCwMG8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The joint subcommittee convened March 3 and, with no members of the public present for comment, moved to approve minutes from the December 3, 2024 joint subcommittee meeting.

A motion to approve the minutes was made by Council Member Raul and seconded by the mayor; the chair stated the motion was properly moved and seconded and the minutes were approved with no further discussion recorded.

Later in the meeting the chair asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and the subcommittee adjourned at 12:42 p.m. The group discussed scheduling the next joint meeting in June 2025; city staff noted June 16 or June 23 as preferred options and staff will coordinate a final date and location.

No public comment was registered at the start of the meeting.","The joint subcommittee approved minutes from the Dec. 3, 2024 meeting and later voted to adjourn the March 3 meeting; staff will coordinate the next meeting date (options discussed included June 16 or June 23)",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653967,"Travis County details rollout plan for voter‑approved childcare and out‑of‑school fund",600,2932000,3532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335&start=2932&end=3532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335/thumbnail_2932000.jpg","/articles/6653967/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Travis-County-details-rollout-plan-for-voterapproved-childcare-and-outofschool-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653967-d25ed1f914691fb15221a0f97e94e76c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775323527&Signature=FqQ0IvU6iyljNZPuPXx2mAqFxTeVUfVZ3IUUmvUD3iNVlosgPCaD-l4Ces5xXu0zPtY4cdtzJjti59tPO~HbaM3f6ghU-7Fds0PN5PVL4An6Uqr4B1KuVzgh6Fa5umYDuk4xOHbEGEFlH6WA0IyA1fSuJ6Duoh2kXS3JdU73ZPkb6XRylR4rZhTDOG3113Rhqkbj9JqJZ0UVHD6Y4IKn1W0JEPjBa7rLmpeK9jsGzgJaf9ji0OFoJB1ApzFhkTRi70kCGcknZil52dt5vbpqSNYVtjtw92S2oSxsvEeGI3i2YBjtANdxJXCkhB0~hKLaje8rjN2ygeV5MiM3itjT2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corey Darling, research and planning division director at Travis County Health and Human Services, updated the joint subcommittee on March 3 about the county’s transition plan to implement the voter‑approved child‑care and out‑of‑school time fund.

Voters in November 2024 approved a 2.5¢ tax‑rate increase estimated to generate about $75 million annually for childcare and out‑of‑school services; the ballot language directs the county to expand child‑care slots, increase access to nontraditional hours, strengthen provider capacity through training and business supports, and build business–government partnerships to match public funds.

Darling said the county is pursuing four concurrent lines of work in the transition plan: hiring implementation staff, conducting broad community engagement, planning short‑term investments to use existing county contracts, and designing phased procurements for longer‑term services.

On hiring, the county is recruiting a strategic advisor for childcare and out‑of‑school time to lead implementation; the application period closed on the presentation day and staff expected to interview in March with an April start target. County departments — including health and human services, finance, purchasing, the auditor’s office and the county attorney — are also adding roles to support contracting and oversight.

For near‑term service delivery, Darling said staff are exploring expanding existing contracts (for example, with Workforce Solutions and current youth‑service providers) to serve more families while full competitive solicitations are planned. He said interlocal agreements with other government entities are being explored as a transitional tool to accelerate capacity.

On community engagement, the county plans a bilingual survey (English and Spanish), ongoing meetings with child‑care and out‑of‑school providers, three public listening sessions and an online Zoom forum. The engagement is intended to inform eligibility, performance measures, procurement specifications and the composition of a future community advisory council; the county expects to recruit advisory‑council members in late spring or early summer.

Darling described the procurement timeline as phased: staff plan to analyze community input in spring, return to commissioners court in summer 2025 with policy recommendations, release initial solicitations in fall 2025, and phase in contracts with the goal of having all services contracted by the end of 2026. He said some short‑term contracts could be in place by summer 2025 to align with the school year.

Darling emphasized that the full procurement cycle can take more than a year and that the county is using short‑term investments and possible interlocal agreements to address immediate need while following procurement rules.

County staff said they would continue outreach and would provide materials and a digital copy of the briefing on request.","Travis County staff briefed the joint subcommittee on March 3 on implementation of a voter‑approved 2.5¢ tax to fund childcare and out‑of‑school time services — roughly $75 million annually — including hiring, community engagement, short‑term contracts and a phased procurement timeline",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653970,"City of Austin highlights firefighters’ pension bill, housing and homelessness priorities",589,2303000,2892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335&start=2303&end=2892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335/thumbnail_2303000.jpg","/articles/6653970/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-of-Austin-highlights-firefighters-pension-bill-housing-and-homelessness-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653970-82df0b3da851aebafe1e56c0d2ebb2ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775323527&Signature=LmgTRp7UIgLDKR6lb6C-gj1yAzxPo3s1VBPyPkeLaWbr3HI10GmaIhmCYpgVIjaT1iipIb3egms5TexZh8OYKs8nBDZvsFcKbVb7ecbFqIhF7rYCslzhUObmDGj~3q9b8K6eNFsOkKV0DkE3nTKAcj9Yvxlz3Ioyr5X-mO6sIHc8VNOaMB60rv0bNL7aSypk3IFKbgr5Y6Dl8WkNCUySGbujiBFLnBFjs1YMfEvKOmz1kbfzd88T5v-4vlNYylLV2rR4Ch6p74Dfm6VRFjycx-Xe9~urajZmys9oEtiLuaNo2ndY7QbdNQwo610r4uuwq~BEbsL-sD-HQYVsl4cyBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carrie Rogers, the city of Austin’s intergovernmental relations officer (filling in for Rick Ramirez), told the joint subcommittee on March 3 that the City Council adopted its state and federal legislative program in December and that the city’s top state priority includes a local bill for the Austin Firefighters’ retirement fund (filed as House Bill 2802 by Rep. Busey, according to city materials).

Rogers said the city is particularly concerned about revenue‑impact measures being considered at the Legislature—most notably proposals to require super‑majority (two‑thirds or similar) approval for bond or tax‑rate elections and other bills that would limit cities’ ability to spend beyond prior budgets. The city is watching those measures closely because they would interact with possible federal funding reductions and could limit local fiscal flexibility.

Rogers echoed county staff in highlighting mental‑health and homelessness initiatives. She said state Sen. Parker had convened a bipartisan group that produced draft legislation on housing and mental‑health services; the city expects that draft to generate multiple bills that may overlap with the county’s mental‑health proposals, including the proposed use of the Austin State Hospital campus. Rogers described early support across party lines for some homelessness and mental‑health measures and said the city is working to align with county efforts and legislative sponsors.

The city is also monitoring bills with direct operational impact: a Representative Kane bill (referenced as HB1715 in city materials) to limit organizations from prohibiting firearms at events; several land‑use bills aiming to accelerate affordable housing production; and proposals to create oversight or public‑hearing requirements before converting city property to homeless‑housing uses. Rogers said she expects more activity in the coming days and that the city is coordinating community project funding (earmark) requests and a centralized grants unit to pursue federal opportunities.

Rogers concluded by noting the city had circulated its legislative program to partners and would continue coordinating with the county and school district on overlapping priorities.","City IGR officer Carrie Rogers briefed the joint subcommittee on March 3 about the city’s legislative program, including a local bill for the Austin firefighters’ retirement fund, housing and homelessness bills, proposed limits on municipal revenue tools, and federal grant coordination",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653974,"AISD outlines how competing House and Senate K‑12 bills would affect district funding, vouchers and program priorities",906,894000,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335&start=894&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477680-e6bfca3bd7aa5f868f504ada86a5b335/thumbnail_894000.jpg","/articles/6653974/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/AISD-outlines-how-competing-House-and-Senate-K12-bills-would-affect-district-funding-vouchers-and-program-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653974-eb64b66057b2aa782274133c70d7479b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775323527&Signature=kSquDubz7pqQJ5nIvqvz~zWcv~PP7GwBPy~IjyLTwUjYGkL8QcSXKk8SC8qt8rPBobJyM7QDZLziyrS6K6~i0Wpund6oSHmvNhPGA5bdiR3WbnbXBzFuSGLz0dtnCIB3dBW3FnNR8S9KUwvh0SR5n~EV1uWGmoWby8~yN956vYRQfE2MJUUuUNioJU-paxhgBCx7Vm7X~lZ16WwlfPi~WJb8DTPwkGTxCdUwPQIrFbIJpIpGVmR-zcACoxZ2B33gHrcZ6Wl61oh2JkUFjRY5X1lV0tAW3qs-4WSxgxqEejNi19QsazCIdXESnyIkOhKwL-asT9zEM6ibOvJIDZSJIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Edna Butts, Austin Independent School District’s legislative liaison, briefed the joint subcommittee on March 3 about competing House and Senate proposals for K‑12 funding and a suite of education bills under active consideration at the Capitol.

Butts said both HB1 and SB1 include new statewide education funding—each version identifies roughly $5.25 billion in new money and sets aside $1 billion for education savings accounts (universal vouchers). But the House and Senate differ on how to allocate other funds that would be distributed from a roughly $4.85 billion pool.

Butts outlined the key differences she highlighted: Senate proposals discussed by staff (including a referenced Senate bill 26) would hold school districts harmless for property tax cuts and focus some increases on teacher pay with district‑size tiers for raises. The House approach (presented as House Bill 2) would raise the basic allotment by $220 per student, increase special‑education funding changes (from site‑based funding to funding based on intensity of services), boost small/mid‑size district weights, add a $51 per‑student arts allotment, and increase the compensatory allotment for low‑income students.

On vouchers, Butts said the Senate’s education savings account proposal is universal for children eligible to attend public school; if applications exceed available slots the program would use a lottery with prioritization for low‑income households and students with disabilities. The Senate figures in Butts’s presentation allocated $10,000 per general voucher, $11,500 for students with disabilities and smaller amounts for homeschoolers. The House voucher proposal would set award amounts at 85% of estimated average state and local funding per student; Butts cautioned that there are differing interpretations of what the base per‑student amount will include (for example, whether state pension contributions are counted).

Butts also summarized other bills the district is tracking: a proposed expansion of the school‑safety allotment; bills that would limit or ban use of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) considerations in hiring, policy and training (cited as SB12 by Sen. Creighton and related measures); bills to change discipline and alternative‑placement rules for offenses such as e‑cigarette and marijuana possession; and proposals to require display of religious text or a period of prayer in classrooms (two bills set for hearing). Butts flagged bills affecting library‑material review and a package of bills that would restrict lobbying and membership dues to associations that hire lobbyists, noting concern about how those measures could limit districts’ and cities’ ability to track legislation and advocate.

During the discussion, trustees and elected officials pressed Butts for district‑specific estimates. Butts said district “runs” estimating AISD’s net under specific committee versions had not yet been released and that committee substitutes were likely; she said she would follow up with district estimates when available. She also provided her contact information (edna.butts@austinisd.org) for follow‑up questions.

Butts’s presentation covered program shortfalls the district has absorbed: she said the basic allotment of $6,160 has not been raised since 2019 and that inflation has eroded buying power. Butts noted special‑education shortfalls (an underfunding figure cited in the presentation: $73,200,000 for special education statewide) and that transportation funding is underfunded by amounts reflected in district materials.

Butts closed by noting committee hearing schedules for key measures and invited questions from joint subcommittee members.","Austin ISD’s legislative liaison summarized House and Senate K‑12 proposals, including competing plans for distributing roughly $4.85 billion in new money, teacher pay proposals, universal education savings accounts (vouchers), and bills affecting DEI and school library review","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Travis County outlines local bill package, including Austin State Hospital lease for jail-diversion work

Joint subcommittee approves Dec. 3 minutes, sets future meeting dates and adjourns

Travis County details rollout plan for voter‑approved childcare and out‑of‑school fund

City of Austin highlights firefighters’ pension bill, housing and homelessness priorities

AISD outlines how competing House and Senate K‑12 bills would affect district funding, vouchers and program priorities