Commissioners outline 89th Texas Legislature measures that could affect county authority, funding and planning

Commissioners updated the court May 13 on several bills working through the 89th Texas Legislature that they said could affect county operations, revenue and local control.

Commissioner Bobby Galana told the court he testified for HB 3253, a rural constable assistance program modeled on a rural sheriff assistance program used previously by the county, and said the bill was on the House calendar. He described SB 1844 (and a related House draft) as a de-annexation measure that could allow residents to remove themselves from a city when certain municipal services are not provided; Galana said amended language that would target a specific Austin neighborhood was being advanced to limit statewide impacts.

Commissioner Galana also flagged bills that would allow developers to use third-party planning and inspections (noting HB 2323 and SB 2354 among measures discussed), bills affecting housing finance corporations (which can remove properties from local tax rolls), and other measures commissioners said could shift costs and authority from local governments to the state or private actors.

Commissioner Maklick (reported in the transcript as Commissioner Maklick) summarized other bills of local concern, including proposals to raise procurement thresholds, changes to early voting and mail-ballot procedures (House Bill 1091), and legislation affecting county authority over subdivision infrastructure and fire marshal certification requirements. Maklick warned that several bills could limit local control or increase costs to counties.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the bills would reshape county responsibilities on infrastructure, elections, procurement, and housing finance — and that some measures could raise costs to local governments or reduce local regulatory authority. The court described an ongoing, multi-person monitoring effort with local officials and staff tracking roughly 100 pieces of legislation that relate to local government.

Other notes from the session: Dennis London, who the court identified as a local legislative monitor, said the court was tracking more than 100 bills and that more than a dozen remained viable threats to local governance. Commissioners praised a baby-step bill (SB 2513) requiring improved notice to property owners in condemnation proceedings. Galana reported progress on keeping the 500th and 3rd District Court provisions alive; he also said certain MUD-reform bills were no longer viable in this session.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized continued monitoring and outreach to state legislators, and encouraged residents to contact their state representatives with concerns about bills that could affect county services and budgets.