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Legislative News

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



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