Changing state election law has been a major, and controversial, issue this legislative session. This week's virtual breakfast meeting began with Williamson County Elections Administrator Chris Davis alerting participants to House Bill 3276 by Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound). The bill would require counties to live stream and continuously video record the canvassing of precinct election returns. It also would require counties to post a licensed peace officer at each polling station to guard precinct ballot boxes. HB 3276 represents a huge unfunded mandate for counties, Davis said, and he urged county officials to call their state representatives to express their concerns about the potential costs and difficulties of implementing the bill's requirements.
A selection of other bills discussed Tuesday:
Jim Allison, general counsel for the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, flagged HB 1869 by Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) as a bill that he described as fitting a recent legislative trend: restricting or attempting to restrict local revenue sources. HB 1869 would redefine debt covered by a county's debt service tax rate to debt that "has been approved at an election." The change would place most debt obligations under the maintenance and operations tax rate, which cannot be increased by more than 3.5% without voter approval.
Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne gave an update on HB 1550 by Rep. John Cyrier (R-Lockhart). The bill, which is awaiting a vote by the House, would address some of the issues raised last fall in the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission's review of the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement. Hawthorne said the Sheriffs' Association of Texas still would like to see some improvements to HB 1550 before the House votes on it.
Hawthorne also discussed HB 1927, commonly referred to as the “constitutional carry” or “permitless carry” bill by Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) that would allow Texans 21 and older to carry a handgun without a permit. The House passed the bill three weeks ago. A vote in the Senate was pending as of Tuesday's breakfast meeting. On Wednesday, the Senate approved HB 1927; a conference committee will work out differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Sheriffs’ Association had offered some language to make sheriffs feel a little more comfortable with the bill, Hawthorne said, but had otherwise kept a neutral position on HB 1927. Texas constables also have remained neutral, said Travis County Constable Carlos Lopez, Chairman of the Constable Legislative Committee with the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas.
The Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas continues to engage with lawmakers on Senate Bill 1413 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) to make it more workable for county tax offices, TAC Legislative Consultant Katy Estrada reported. The bill would require tax assessor-collectors to send property tax payments and communications electronically unless a property owner opts to continue to receive information by mail.
The association also continues to have lingering concerns regarding SB 876 by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), Estrada said. SB 876 would allow the owner of a motor vehicle to register their vehicle or apply for a title with any county willing to accept the application.
The 87th Texas Legislature ends May 31. As Allison said Tuesday morning, the session has entered its "danger stage" when floor amendments can breathe life into bills thought dead. Keep up with the latest at the Capitol by joining TAC's virtual Tuesday Morning Breakfast each week at 7:30 a.m. Register today for the next breakfast on Tuesday, May 11, by 5 p.m. Monday, May 10.
Login instructions will be sent with confirmation of your registration. Please contact Amy Ruedas at AmyR@county.org or (800) 456-5974 with any questions about the breakfast meetings.