The Victoria County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025-064 opposing legislative proposals, including Senate Bill 12, that would prohibit counties from using outside experts or belonging to longstanding statewide associations. County Judge read the resolution aloud and the court approved it after brief discussion.

The resolution says such proposals would bar Victoria County from using experts and membership in groups like the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas and would “essentially silence the voices of local officials at the state capitol,” language the court adopted in its motion. The resolution directs that copies be sent to the county's state representative, state senator and relevant legislative committees.

Court members framed the item as a defense of counties’ ability to pool resources and to respond to thousands of bills each legislative session. Court members said smaller and rural counties disproportionately rely on associations and shared legal and legislative resources to track and respond to state actions. One commissioner observed the alternative would be adding significant staffing and expense at the local level.

The court moved and seconded approval and recorded no opposition. The resolution will be distributed to state lawmakers and committee members as part of the county’s legislative outreach.

Supporters at the meeting emphasized the resolution is intended to protect local governments’ ability to communicate with state lawmakers and to preserve the legal, fiscal and operational support counties rely on. The court did not take additional steps beyond adopting and directing distribution of the resolution.