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El Paso County officials review dozens of state bills; commissioners flag housing, MUDs and solar proposals
Summary
County staff and outside lobbyists updated the court on the county—s 80th/89th legislative priorities and pending bills; commissioners raised local concerns including use of BRF funds, water infrastructure, and recently filed bills affecting solar compensation for rooftop generators.
El Paso County officials and their state lobbying team briefed the Commissioner's Court on a long list of bills filed this legislative session and on actions the county has taken to track or support county priorities.
Elisa Tamayo, the county—s governmental affairs manager, said the county—s state lobbying team had filed hearing requests and was coordinating directly with authors on multiple bills. "We passed the filing deadline," she said, and noted the legislature has seen an increase in filed measures this session.
The update covered many measures the county is monitoring, including several bills filed by Senator Blanca and Representative Gonzalez involving municipal utility district (MUD) director residency rules, scrap tire and junkyard programs, reimbursements for surviving spouses, and disclosure of water connections on property sales. Tamayo and the lobbyists told the court they had submitted hearing requests and were working with committee staff and the county attorney—s office on language and amendments.
Commissioners pressed staff about specific priorities. Commissioner Coronado asked how potential BRF funding might be used and whether it would require a public vote; staff noted such funds often require voter approval and said the county would need to coordinate with other delegations if an amendment were required. Several commissioners urged meetings with local delegation members before taking a position on amendment vehicles.
The court also raised public-safety and infrastructure concerns tied to legislation: Commissioner Stout described recurring problems with fire hydrants in areas served by MUDs and said the hydrants are sometimes designated by MUDs for flushing rather than emergency use. "We take on a huge liability but we don't have any sort of power to be able to monitor," Stout said, urging staff to look for vehicles that could require MUDs to maintain hydrants for emergency-service districts.
During public comment Joshua Simmons, a Precinct 1 resident, urged the court to oppose House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 1003, bills he said would change compensation rules for distributed renewable generation outside of ERCOT and potentially undermine rooftop solar adoption in the El Paso Electric service territory. Simmons testified that El Paso Electric already charges a $30.25 monthly minimum to solar customers and that changes in net-metering or demand-based billing could extend payback periods for homeowners.
Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the city attorney and county legal staff to analyze the bills and any pending El Paso Electric rate case impacts. "We should reach out to Representative Moody and Senator Blanco to understand a little more deeply what this bill is about," a commissioner said.
County staff also flagged a separate bill filed by Representative Perez (HB 4259) that would transfer authority for the county purchasing agent from the existing purchasing board to the Commissioners Court; staff said they had already met with the author and planned to keep the court informed when hearings are requested.
The county—s lobbying team reported that several county-priority bills have been filed in both chambers and are moving at different paces; the Senate had already advanced a number of lieutenant-governor priorities, and staff warned commissioners the House was about to enter an accelerated period of floor activity. The lobbyists said they would circulate detailed bill lists and budget items to the court and follow up before the court—s April update.
Why it matters: The March briefing mapped which bills could affect county operations and budgets, from public-safety and water-infrastructure rules to taxes and purchasing authority. Commissioners directed staff to pursue clarification and, where appropriate, seek amendments or legislative support before taking formal positions.
What happens next: County staff said they will provide written bill summaries and recommendations ahead of the court—s next briefing, arrange meetings with delegation offices, and coordinate with the city attorney on rate-case or regulatory impacts related to utility/solar bills.
