Two related bills on local law‑enforcement contracting dominated debate over county budget controls and contract revenue allocation.

Representative Oliverson sponsored HB26, describing it as a protection for a popular Harris County program that lets neighborhoods and school districts contract for additional law‑enforcement services. "House Bill 26 protects an extremely popular program in Harris County, giving neighborhoods and school districts the ability to access law enforcement resources," Oliverson said when he introduced the bill.

Companion legislation, HB192, addressed how contract revenue is treated in county budgets and sought to close what sponsors called a loophole created by prior legislation (SB23). Representative Scofield offered a floor amendment clarifying that contract revenue would be credited to the office that provides the contracted services and that counties could not reduce a sheriff’s or constable’s budget by the amount collected from contracts. The amendment was accepted by the bill author and adopted.

Opponents raised checks‑and‑balances and equity concerns. Representative Ward Johnson and others asked whether the bills were within the governor’s emergency call; later the point of order was withdrawn. Representative Ward Johnson in floor debate said the proposal "upends the democratic principle of checks and balances," arguing commissioners court and county fiscal authority should retain control over the local purse. Representative Garcia Hernandez and others asked whether a pharmacy‑style analogy might apply; proponents said counties retain normal budgetary operation except the statute would bar retroactive reductions to the affected offices where contract revenue is credited.

Supporters said the bills prevent counties from “defunding” law‑enforcement offices by clawing back contract revenues and protect community‑funded public safety programs. Opponents said the policy could enable double taxation, scale disparities between neighborhoods that can pay for extra patrols and those that cannot, and reduce county oversight. The House ultimately passed HB26 (final passage 88 ayes, 49 nays) and HB192 (final passage 89 ayes, 48 nays). Both bills proceed to the next legislative steps.