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Legislative News Archives

November 2011
	18 Nov: Voter ID law could be stalled due to federal questions
	17 Nov: Senior Officials call 2011 New ‘Drought of Record’
	17 Nov: County Officials Appointed to New Juvenile Justice Board
	17 Nov: Congressional Update
	17 Nov: Jail Commission Review Process Underway
	9 Nov: Unofficial election returns from Secretary of State; Prop. 10 passes
October 2011
	20 Oct: Congressional Update
	20 Oct: ICE, Sheriffs Partner on Public Safety Symposium
	20 Oct: Speaker Straus Releases House Interim Charges
	19 Oct: State Climatologist Predicts Overall Dry Conditions to Continue
	19 Oct: When Should I File for Office?
	19 Oct: TWDB Releases New Texas Water Plan
	19 Oct: Dewhurst Issues Drought and Wildfire Preparedness Interim Charges
	19 Oct: We Need Your Feedback: 2011 County Expenditure Survey
	19 Oct: TAC Names Legislators Friends of County Government
September 2011
	29 Sep: Goods-in-Transit Authority Resolution Available
	29 Sep: Constitutional Amendment Election: Four Propositions to Affect Counties
	28 Sep: County Affairs Holds Hearing on Health Care Reform
	28 Sep: Medicaid Managed Care Program Expands
	13 Sep: Sept 1: SB 373 Includes New Surety Bonding Requirements for County Treasurers
	12 Sep: Handouts from TAC Legislative Conference
	8 Sep: Counties Must Take Official Action to Tax Goods-In-Transit
	8 Sep: State to Reduce Juror Pay, County Reimbursement
	8 Sep: TCEQ Proposing Stricter Permit Standards on MS4 Storm Water Systems
	8 Sep: HB 1517 Allows Expanded Use of Highway Fines for Smaller Counties
	8 Sep: State Sales Tax: Collections are Up
	8 Sep: Federal Highway Administration Proposes Changes to Traffic Sign Regulations
July 2011
	27 Jul: SB 2 Provides Additional State Funding for 2012-13
	27 Jul: SB 100 Makes Changes to Election Calendar Dates
	27 Jul: Special Session Reimposes Collection Improvement Program
	27 Jul: Technology Bills Aim to Bring Transparency, Protection
	27 Jul: Unfunded Mandates Constitutional Amendments: Try Again in 2013
	15 Jul: TAC Links Comptroller’s County Budget Guides
June 2011
	24 Jun: Fiscal Notes: A Note of Thanks
	24 Jun: Analysis: State Budget’s Impact on Counties
May 2011
	27 May: Conferees Adopt HB 1
	27 May: County-Related Constitutional Amendments Head to Voters
	27 May: TAC Salary Survey Available
	20 May: Texas Senate Approves Senate Redistricting Map
	20 May: Almost Finalized: Conference Committee Report on HB 1
	13 May: Budget: Conference Committee to Resolve Differences
	13 May: Contact State Budget Conferees
	13 May: Oil & Gas Undervaluation Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
	13 May: Voter ID Bill Receives Minor Adjustments
	6 May: Senate Passes its Version of State Budget
	6 May: Unworkable Tax Notice Bill Passed by Senate Finance
	6 May: Debt Collection Improvement Bill Scheduled for Hearing
	6 May: Texas House Approves Representative Redistricting Map
April 2011
	29 Apr: House Approves TYC, Texas Juvenile Probation Merger
	29 Apr: Senate Passes Significant Homeland Security Bill
	29 Apr: Compared: House and Senate Budgets
	29 Apr: House to Hear Emergency Radio Infrastructure Bill
	21 Apr: House Seeks to Generate Non-Tax Revenue with Fiscal Bills
	21 Apr: Update: Oil & Gas Undervaluation Issue Receives Hearing
	21 Apr: Senate Version of Budget Seeks to Restore Some Funding
	15 Apr: Update: Elections Calendar Bills Pass the Senate
	15 Apr: Ways & Means to Hear Oil and Gas Undervaluation Issue
	15 Apr: Coleman’s Unfunded Mandates Prohibition Moves Forward
	15 Apr: Floodplain Hazard Bill Laid Out
	8 Apr: House Adopts State Budget
	8 Apr: Oil & Gas Undervaluation Bill Receives Favorable Support
	8 Apr: Unfunded Mandates Resolution Picks Up More Co-Authors
	8 Apr: Update: Election Calendar Change Bills Heard in Committee
	8 Apr: Appropriations Considers Bills with County Funding Impact
	1 Apr: Senate Finance Approves Restoration of Local Funds
	1 Apr: Dedicated Funds for General Revenue to be Reclassified
	1 Apr: Bill Proposes Restricted Hours for Inmate Releases
	1 Apr: Senate Finance to Hear Oil and Gas Undervaluation Bill
March 2011
	25 Mar: Local Officials Testify Against Revenue Cap Bill
	25 Mar: Committee Hears Coleman's Unfunded Mandates Bill
	25 Mar: Considered: Alternative Sentencing for First-Time DWIs
	25 Mar: TAC Analyzes Effect of Population Bracket Adjustment Bill
	25 Mar: Update: House Chamber Takes up State Budget
	25 Mar: So Close: Most Counties Have Sent HJR 56 Resolutions
	18 Mar: First Revenue Cap Bill Goes to Committee Hearing
	18 Mar: Proposed: Consolidation of Jail Standards, TCLEOSE
	18 Mar: Sanctuary City Bills Voted From Committee
	18 Mar: The State Budget: What Happens Next?
	18 Mar: Significant Changes Proposed to Election Calendar
	18 Mar: Update on HJR 56/SJR 17
	11 Mar: UPDATE ON HJR 56: More Work Needed by County Officials
	11 Mar: Update: Fiscal Notes Status
	11 Mar: Hearing Set for March 14 on SB 100
	11 Mar: Juvenile Justice Merger Discussed
	4 Mar: Heads Up: Unfunded Mandate Bill Set for Hearing
	4 Mar: Call to Action! Show Local Impact of State Budget Cuts
February 2011
	28 Feb: CPPP's County-By-County Effects of Proposed State Budget Cuts
	25 Feb: Counties with Oil/Gas Properties Should Contact Legislators
	25 Feb: Contact Your Legislators on County Impact of State Budget Cuts
	25 Feb: Census Population Updates to Affect County Laws
	25 Feb: Hunter Urges County Officials to “Keep Me Posted” on Bills
	25 Feb: Update: Fiscal Notes Status
	18 Feb: Census Bureau Releases Redistricting Data
	18 Feb: Next Week: Criminal Justice Budget Hearings Scheduled
	18 Feb: Sen. Eltife Takes a Stand Against Local Government Budget Cuts
	18 Feb: Array of DWI Bills Filed
	18 Feb: Counties, Legislators Advance Toward Unfunded Mandates Ban
	18 Feb: Bill Proposes Rural Hospital Safety Net Infrastructure Program
	18 Feb: Update: Fiscal Notes Status
	14 Feb: DSHS Seeking Rural Applicants for Local Authority Network Advisory Committee
	11 Feb: Speaker Joe Straus Announces House Committees
	11 Feb: Sheriffs Give Input on Health and Human Services Cuts
	11 Feb: Redistricting Data to be Released Next Week
	11 Feb: E-Verify Requirements for Counties
	11 Feb: We All Pay for Unfunded Mandates
	7 Feb: TAC Analyzes Budget Impact on Counties
	7 Feb: Senate Passes Voter ID Bill
	7 Feb: Interoperability Legislation Filed
	7 Feb: Senate Committee Members Named and House Rules Set
	7 Feb: Carona Takes On Unfunded Mandates in the Senate
January 2011
	31 Jan: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst Announces Senate Committees
	28 Jan: LBB, Senate Committee Make Recommendations on Sex Offender Registry
	28 Jan: Misdemeanor Probation Funding Could Be Eliminated
	28 Jan: Ways & Means Committee Examines Property Tax Exemptions
	28 Jan: Update: New Interim Studies Released
	28 Jan: Counties on Board for Unfunded Mandates Resolutions
	28 Jan: Senate Finance to Begin Hearings on Appropriations
	21 Jan: State Budget Reduces Overall Spending by 16.6 Percent
	21 Jan: TYC and Juvenile Probation Merger Proposed
	21 Jan: Cuts Proposed to Criminal Justice and Mental Health Budgets
	21 Jan: Status Update: Fiscal Notes
	21 Jan: State Releases Annual Property Tax Report
	14 Jan: Solomons Files Strong Resolution Against Unfunded Mandates
	14 Jan: Fiscal Notes Status Update
	14 Jan: Comptroller Releases State Revenue Estimates
	14 Jan: Update: Interim Studies Released to Date
	5 Jan: Justice and Mental Health Grants Available to Counties
November 2010
	19 Nov: State Sales Tax Collections Show Slight Increase
	19 Nov: Juvenile Justice Technology to Save Counties Money
	19 Nov: Costs of Services and Legislative Concerns Lead Coffee With TAC Discussion
	19 Nov: Resources, Naturally: Responsibility to Transportation Endures
	19 Nov: Justice Department Considers Accessibility Mandates for Local Government Websites
	19 Nov: County Affairs Goes on the Road
October 2010
	25 Oct: New Immigration Bill Introduced; Place Saver for Next Congress
	25 Oct: Recovery Plan for Gulf Oil Spill Released
	25 Oct: Feds Reimburse Counties for Illegal Immigrant Jail Costs
	25 Oct: Results: Survey on Autopsy Costs
	25 Oct: Resources, Naturally: Transportation Coalitions Support Common Cause
	21 Oct: Tough Times and Tough Choices Ahead
September 2010
	28 Sep: County Road Damages Call for Solutions
	28 Sep: Resources, Naturally: House Transportation Committee Meets at TAC Annual Conference
	28 Sep: From the Legislative Desk - Boethel: It’s Been an Honor
	27 Sep: High-Ranking State Officials Speak at TAC Conference
	27 Sep: CSCDs Could Lose $51.9 Million in State Budget Cuts
	27 Sep: HHSC Issues Report on Benefits Provided To Undocumented Immigrants
	27 Sep: Survey Results on Autopsy Costs
	15 Sep: Feral Hog Abatement Grants Available
August 2010
	27 Aug: Panel OKs Recommendations to Stop Wrongful Convictions
	27 Aug: State Study: Sex Offender Registration Requirements and Costs
	27 Aug: Congress Passes Enhanced Medicaid Match Extension
	27 Aug: HHSC Estimates Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
	27 Aug: Resources, Naturally: New Subdivision Sourcebook in the Mail
	27 Aug: From the Legislative Desk: Petitioners Challenge Stormwater Rules
	26 Aug: At a Glance: 911 Emergency Service Fees: Part II
	26 Aug: Jail Standards Rule Changes: County Participation is Important
	19 Aug: HHSC to Adopt Model Standards for Boarding Home Facilities
July 2010
	22 Jul: Transparency: An Ongoing Issue for Counties
	22 Jul: At a Glance: 911 Services Fees
	22 Jul: Resources, Naturally
	22 Jul: Mental Health Updates: Budget Woes and Medical Clearance
	22 Jul: Fill it Out: Motor Vehicle Registration Survey
	22 Jul: Federal Firearm Reporting Causes Challenges for Clerks
	22 Jul: From the Legislative Desk: A Note on Local Mental Health Authorities
	22 Jul: U.S. House Passes Mandatory Collective Bargaining Measure
	22 Jul: Healthcare.gov Improves Online Access to Health Care
June 2010
	30 Jun: Overseas Voters to Request Ballots Electronically
	30 Jun: From the Legislative Desk
	25 Jun: State Sales Tax Collections: Slight Increase in April, May
	25 Jun: Resources, Naturally: Listening Rather Than Telling
	25 Jun: Funding Concerns Lead Coffee with TAC Discussion
	25 Jun: TAC Unit Road Survey Available to Counties
	24 Jun: Mandatory Collective Bargaining Legislation Remains Pending
	24 Jun: Unfunded Mandate: Sex Offender Registration Act Deadline Nears
	23 Jun: House Transportation Chair Wants to Hear From You
	1 Jun: States Passing Budget Cuts on to Counties, Cities
May 2010
	28 May: From the Legislative Desk
	28 May: Resources, Naturally
	27 May: Regional Legislators Discuss Emergency Preparedness
	27 May: House Agriculture Committee Seeks Input on Farm Bill Reauthorization
	27 May: Panhandle City-County Officials Convene on Shared Local Government Issues
	27 May: A Survey on Autopsy Costs in the Medical Examiner’s Office
	27 May: Special Needs Diversions Discussed in House Corrections Committee
	27 May: 2010 TAC Salary Survey Available to Counties
	27 May: Senate Criminal Justice Hears Juvenile Justice Issues
	27 May: State Task Force Supports Records Retention Efforts
	27 May: Dependent Coverage Extended to Age 26
	27 May: Legislative Committees Hear Indigent Defense Issues
	4 May: Sunset Staff Recommends Continuation of Commission on State Emergency Communications
	4 May: From the Legislative Desk
	4 May: TAC Testifies on Tax Appraisal Process
	4 May: Joint Committee Hears Review of Federal Health Care Impact
	4 May: Call for 2010 County Expenditure Surveys
	4 May: Resources, Naturally: A New Infusion into the State Infrastructure Bank
	4 May: County Officials Testify on Oil and Gas
	3 May: The Shell Game
	3 May: TribBlog: What Happens in Arizona...
	3 May: Regulators Get Tough as Texas' Clout Wanes in Washington
	3 May: Whitley Urges Fed Lawmakers Not To Tread On Locals
	3 May: Natural Gas Tax Collections Down
	3 May: Federal Updates: $75 Billion Local Jobs Bill Introduced in U.S. House
	3 May: Legislation Improves Mental Health-Based Restrictions to Gun Purchases
March 2010
	29 Mar: Counties Urge Using Market Value for Oil/Gas Valuations
	29 Mar: U.S. House Subcommittee Considers Mandatory Collective Bargaining Legislation for Police, Firefighters and EMS Workers
	29 Mar: Students Serve as Election Clerks
	29 Mar: HHSC Identifies Critical Funding Needs and Budget Reductions
	29 Mar: Effects of Health Care Reform on Counties Remain to be Seen
	29 Mar: Proposed Changes to Jail Standards Update
	29 Mar: From the Legislative Desk
	29 Mar: Resources, Naturally: The State of Transportation
	29 Mar: Legislative Staff Monitors Interim Hearings
	29 Mar: County Expenditure Survey 2010 Mails Out
	1 Mar: County Information Project to Prepare Redistricting Data for Counties
	1 Mar: Census Population Updates to Affect County Laws
	1 Mar: House Select Committee to Analyze Texas’ Emergency Preparedness
	1 Mar: President Proposes $3.8 Trillion Budget
	1 Mar: Governments Focus Attention on Health Information Technology
	1 Mar: State Sales Tax Continues to Fall
	1 Mar: County Information Project to Prepare Redistricting Data for Counties
	1 Mar: TCJS Hears County Jail Updates
	1 Mar: TAC Needs Your Input: 2010 Salary Survey
	1 Mar: Texas Tribune: The Numbers Game
	1 Mar: Resources, Naturally: Planning the Future of Groundwater
	1 Mar: From the Legislative Desk: More Than Counting Flowers on the Wall
February 2010
	1 Feb: Jim Allison Suggests Writing CPA on Oil/Gas Valuations
January 2010
	29 Jan: Interim Charges Address Oil and Gas Undervaluation
	28 Jan: Census 2010: 10 Questions, 10 Minutes
	28 Jan: Law Requires Criminal Background Checks for Election Workers
	28 Jan: Texas Senate Releases Several County-Related Interim Charges
	28 Jan: From the Legislative Desk
	28 Jan: State Sales Tax Revenue Continues to Plummet
	21 Jan: TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference, May 4-5, 2010, Austin
	13 Jan: Dewhurst Releases Senate Interim Charges
	4 Jan: HHSC Posts Draft of Boarding Home Facilities New Permissive Law (HB 216)
December 2009
	17 Dec: House Committee to Study Troublesome Texas Ethics Commission Opinion
	17 Dec: Texas House Issues Dozens of County-Related Interim Charges
	17 Dec: From the Legislative Desk
	17 Dec: Resources, Naturally
	4 Dec: DPS Announces Homeland Security Conference
	1 Dec: Travis County and City of Austin team up for U.S. Census participation
November 2009
	20 Nov: Speaker Releases House Interim Charges
	20 Nov: Resources, Naturally - Touchstones: on geographic centers and building codes
	20 Nov: Proposition 5 Expands Appraisal Review Board Candidate Pool
	20 Nov: Passage of Proposition 11 Strengthens Eminent Domain Law
	20 Nov: Summary of the General Appropriations Act
	20 Nov: Senate Committee Discusses Forensic Commission Appointments
	20 Nov: Hidalgo County Judge Named to GSA Position
	20 Nov: From the Legislative Desk
	19 Nov: More than $150 Million Available for Building Efficiency and Retrofit Loan Program
	19 Nov: Implementation of Uniform Appraisal Standards May Take Additional Time
	19 Nov: 2-1-1 Offers Flu Advice, Referral Services
	19 Nov: Proposition 2: A Study
	5 Nov: Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute Hosts Sustainability Development Seminar
	2 Nov: Deadline Approaching for Counties to Accept Energy Efficiency Grant Funding
	2 Nov: Legislators to County Officials: Get Involved
	2 Nov: LBB Survey Results Offer Insight to Fiscal Process
	2 Nov: Resources, Naturally
	2 Nov: Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion Raises Concerns for Officeholders
	2 Nov: DNA Sample Requirements Expanded
	2 Nov: Census 2010 Count Review Program Aims to Improve Data Accuracy
	2 Nov: TAC Names Legislators Friends of County Government
	2 Nov: From the Legislative Desk: Policy Group Ponders Communities’ Greatest Questions
	2 Nov: Counties Have New Building Code Authority Under HB 2833
	2 Nov: Health Reform Legislation Expected on Senate Floor Soon
	2 Nov: Emergency Management Training: Is Your County Current?
October 2009
	27 Oct: EECBG Block Grant
	9 Oct: Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion Raises Serious Concerns for Officeholders
	2 Oct: Comptroller Announces Allocation Awards for EECBG Program
	1 Oct: Constitutional Amendment Election: Five Propositions to Affect Counties
	1 Oct: TAC Annual Conference Recap: TAC Honors Legislators, Members
	1 Oct: State Juvenile Agencies to Use TAC Listserve
	1 Oct: $20 Million Available Through Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program
	1 Oct: From the Legislative Desk
	1 Oct: Sunset Legislation Proposes Rule Changes for Texas Commission on Jail Standards
	1 Oct: Resources, Naturally: Smart Growth from the County Perspective
	1 Oct: DSHS Hosts Regional H1N1 Workshops
	1 Oct: Collin County: Choose Your Polling Place November 3
	1 Oct: NACo Expresses Health Care Priorities to Federal Senate Finance Committee
	1 Oct: Treasury Notes: News Laws Affecting Fees and Funds
September 2009
	28 Sep: Grant Opportunity for Propane Vehicles
	11 Sep: Rep. Otto Discusses Appraisal Process Ballot Measures
	11 Sep: Legislators Discuss 81st Session Triumphs, 82nd Session Challenges
August 2009
	4 Aug: Comptroller Publishes Changes to Fees and Fines
	3 Aug: County-Related Passed Bills
	3 Aug: TAC Collecting Data on Unit Roads
	3 Aug: TAC Emergency Management Listserve and Website Respond
	3 Aug: TAC and TWDB Providing More Floodplain Management Training
	3 Aug: From the Legislative Desk
July 2009
	31 Jul: Health Care Reform Bill Advancing Through Congress
	31 Jul: Resources, Naturally: Wind and water, roads, and utilities
June 2009
	26 Jun: Resources, Naturally: The Living and the Dead
	26 Jun: Bills That Were Passed and Will Become Law
	26 Jun: County-Related Bills That Failed
	26 Jun: Recurring Fiscal Note Questions Improves – How Can It Get Better?
	26 Jun: Improving the CIP Fiscal Note Process
	26 Jun: From the Legislative Desk by Carey “Buck” Boethel, Director of Governmental Relations
	26 Jun: Federal Clean Water Bill Could Be Costly Mandate for Counties
	26 Jun: Energy Conservation Money Available Under Federal Stimulus Law
	24 Jun: Jim Allison Assesses Session
May 2009
	28 May: House Wants to Nix Local Option Gas Tax for Transportation Projects
	28 May: Updates from Jim Allison; Action Still Needed on Two Items
	28 May: County Officials Make the Difference in Protecting Local Governments from Revenue Caps
	21 May: Important tax abatement bill set for hearing Friday
	21 May: Updates from Jim Allison on important bills
	8 May: Legislative update: Week of May 4-8
	8 May: Diesel fuel tax exemption for counties
	8 May: Oil/gas valuation problem being negotiated
	8 May: 5th Circuit sends Alpine open meetings case back to trial court
	8 May: 2009 County Government Day a great success
	8 May: VFD bill set for May 11
	6 May: Comptroller Looking to Hire Stimulus Grants Specialist
	4 May: Handicap Parking Bill Increases Penalties for Repeat Offenders
April 2009
	27 Apr: From the Legislative Desk
	21 Apr: TAC has updated and upgraded its federal stimulus Web page
	21 Apr: County Officials Should Show Support for Unfunded Mandates Constitutional Amendment
	21 Apr: TAC Has Updated and Upgraded Its Federal Stimulus Web Page
	2 Apr: Juvenile Justice Appropriations Discussed
	2 Apr: New County Emergency Management Website Coming Soon
	2 Apr: Grant Opportunities Announced: Tracking the Federal Stimulus Implementation
March 2009
	23 Mar: NACo Legislative Bulletin--Stimulus Funding Information
	10 Mar: TxDOT Pass-Through Project Program Call
	3 Mar: Save the Date: NACo Announces Economic Stimulus Webinar
February 2009
	17 Feb: Congress Passes Economic Stimulus Legislation
	16 Feb: Standing Committee Meeting Schedule, February 16
	13 Feb: NACo congressional update: economic stimulus legislation
	12 Feb: House Committee Assignments Announced
	10 Feb: Senate Finance to Consider $88 Million for Local Mental Health Crisis Diversions
	5 Feb: NACo Congressional update - economic stimulus/county health care costs legislation
January 2009
	30 Jan: Economic Stimulus Legislation Includes Funding for Key County Priorities
	26 Jan: NACo Congressional update – economic stimulus legislation
	1 Jan: Combs Decision Leaves County Reps Looking for Oil/Gas Solution
	1 Jan: New County Emergency Management Website Coming Soon
November 2008
	20 Nov: Responses Requested on Sunset Recommendations
	12 Nov: TDHCA Releases Draft Action Plan for Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grants
	4 Nov: House Public Health Subcommittee Hears Counties’ Best Practices
October 2008
	3 Oct: UPDATE: $20 Million at Stake for Juvenile Departments
September 2008
	30 Sep: NACo Congressional Update
	23 Sep: NACo Congressional Update
	3 Sep: Sen. Kevin Eltife speaks up for counties, cities during caps hearing
August 2008
	18 Aug: New Braunfels newspaper columnist: State is the property tax culprit -- not counties
	15 Aug: State forces counties to bear rising costs of mandate on CPS cases, plus indigent defense
	5 Aug: Property Tax Limitation Removed from Housing Legislation
July 2008
	25 Jul: NACo Congressional Update
June 2008
	19 Jun: Update on property tax hearings
	12 Jun: Storm Water Training Opportunity for MS4s
	6 Jun: Rep. Villarreal Announces Sales Price Disclosure Resource Webpage
	4 Jun: ORCA's new online rural policy recommendation process
April 2008
	30 Apr: Texas Register Comments due May 5th
	3 Apr: Texas Hurricane Conference Set for Galveston, May 20-22
March 2008
	27 Mar: Important Message from NACo: Action needed to block Medicaid cuts
	13 Mar: TAC Salary Survey
	12 Mar: Kaufman editor chastises state for dumping mentally ill into county jails