Leadership Priorities Advance
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan and Gov. Greg Abbott all promised to use the state's historic revenue surplus to deliver property tax relief. While not in lockstep on just what form it will take, the fact that it is a priority shared by all three bodes well for Texas homeowners.
On Wednesday, SB 1259 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) was heard and approved by the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence. Judge J.R. Woolley, Waller County Justice of the Peace and Justices of the Peace Legislative Chair for the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, testified on Wednesday in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence in support of the House companion to this bill, HB 2381 by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton). These bills increase the jurisdiction for repair and remedy cases in justice courts from $10,000 to $20,000. This brings all civil cases heard in justice court to a jurisdiction limit of $20,000. HB 2381 was left pending.
Abbott and Patrick also placed priority status on delivering school choice. Abbott and a group of supporters he bused in braved the rain Tuesday along with Patrick for a rally on the Capitol steps in support of SB 8 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe). Heard the following day by the Senate Committee on Education, the bill would allow parents to select their preferred school district or receive a credit for use at a private school. Phelan did not include a similar measure among his priority items.
The House Appropriations Committee met on Thursday to adopt its substitute for HB 1, the general appropriations bill for the 2024-25 biennium, and SB 30, the supplemental appropriations bill, which plugs holes and captures savings in the current two-year budget. Both bills will now be sent to the House Calendars Committee, with House floor action expected on or around April 5-6.
County Officials Testify in House and Senate Committees
Jacob Putman, Smith County Criminal District Attorney, testified in support of HB 69 by Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler), heard in the House Subcommittee on Asset Forfeiture. This bill changes the burden of the state in asset forfeiture cases from preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence. Putman agreed asset forfeiture is a necessary tool for law enforcement and he stated that while this bill will require district attorneys to do a little more work to reach the new burden, it is a common sense restriction and will strengthen the safety of Texans.
Laura Nodolf, Midland County District Attorney, testified in support of HB 467 by Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland), heard in the House Subcommittee on Criminal Procedure. This bill increases the statute of limitations for continuous family violence or aggravated assault of a family member.
Nodolf said the bill puts the statute of limitations for these offenses in parity with other major offenses and will give the victims time to process.
SB 22 by Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster), heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, creates a funding mechanism for financial assistance to sheriffs and prosecutors in rural counties with populations of 300,000 or less. Putman testified in support, explaining that it's difficult to recruit entry level lawyers in rural counties and they have to compete with urban counties with larger budgets. Jack Roady, Galveston County Criminal District Attorney and chair of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association's Board of Directors, also testified in support of SB 22 and thanked the committee for listening to their recruitment concerns and for responding with the bill.
Also testifying in support was Travis County Constable Carlos Lopez, who shared the financial hardships faced by rural constables. Lopez asked the committee to consider including rural constable offices or additional funding to all counties for law enforcement purposes that commissioners courts could allocate. The bill was voted favorably out of committee 11-1.
On Wednesday, SB 1259 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) was heard and approved by the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence. Judge J.R. Woolley, Waller County Justice of the Peace and Justices of the Peace Legislative Chair for the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, testified on Wednesday in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence in support of the House companion to this bill, HB 2381 by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton). These bills increase the jurisdiction for repair and remedy cases in justice courts from $10,000 to $20,000. This brings all civil cases heard in justice court to a jurisdiction limit of $20,000. HB 2381 was left pending.
HB 2117 by Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) was heard Wednesday by the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Woolley testified in opposition to the bill, which would create a civil liability for up to $10 million for a judge or magistrate who releases a defendant charged with a violent offense on a personal bond that should not have received a personal bond should the defendant commit another offense involving violence. The bill was left pending.
HB 2229 by Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) was considered and left pending in committee. Dallas County Constable Michael Orozco testified in support of the bill, which would give authority to law enforcement to provide notices to victims of domestic violence. Those notices provide information about numerous resources available to the victims.
Legislative Directories Available for Order
Don't forget to order your copy or copies of the Texas Association of Counties' Legislative Directory for the 88th Legislature. The directory includes contact information for TAC's Legislative Services team, leaders and legislative chairs of the county affiliate organizations, members and committees of the Texas House and Senate, and more. Order here.
For information about this article, please contact Pete Winckler, Zelma Smith, Megan Molleur or Kelsey Bernstein.