Level 5 Foyer
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
(live online only)
Moderator: Kirsten Mills, Legislative Consultant - Texas Association of County & Districts Clerks' Association, Texas Association of Counties
Join us for this Core Legislative Group-exclusive session to hear from a legislator who began their career in the county courthouse. They will discuss how working in county government influenced their views and shaped their priorities at the Texas Capitol. You’ll learn how county and state governments work together and how local issues can shape policies that affect communities across the state.
Manchester Ballroom, Level 5
Welcome and Introductions
Presiding: Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer and President, Texas Association of Counties
Hon. Susan M. Redford, Executive Director, TAC
Preparation for the 90th Legislative Session: Tell Your Story
Moderator: Caroline Love, Director of Legislative Services, TAC
Speaker: S.C. Gwynne, award-winning journalist, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and bestselling historian
Join New York Times bestselling author S.C. Gwynne to learn how to tell your county’s story. He has worked on cover stories about NASA, the King Ranch, Southwest Airlines and White House adviser Karl Rove. With extensive writing experience, including books on American history and features for Texas Monthly, Gwynne offers practical tools to help you reach your audience.
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
Level 5 Foyer
Palm Park, Level 7
(live online only)
Moderator: Davis Hairston, Legislative Consultant - Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas, TAC
Recent legislative and policy changes are creating new operational challenges for Texas tax offices and counties. This panel brings together tax assessors to discuss three emerging issues affecting county offices: cash tax payments and declining coin circulation, new vehicle registration ID requirements, and the effects of HB 9 on business inventory tax structures. Panelists will provide practical insights, followed by an open Q&A with attendees.
Moderator: Pete Winckler, Legislative Consultant - Texas Association of County Auditors, TAC
Across its vast and varied landscape, Texas must confront nearly every form of natural disaster — from droughts to floods and wildfires to winter storms. Preparing your county for what lies ahead is challenging — but essential. Gain practical insights from county and state leaders to help inform the tough decisions you face before, during and after disasters.
Moderator: Jama Pantel, Justice of the Peace & Constables Association of Texas, TAC
Death investigations in Texas rely heavily on justices of the peace, particularly in counties without medical examiner offices. This session will explore the current statutory framework governing death inquests, the role justices of the peace play across the state, and the growing conversation around expanding medical examiner capacity.
Moderator: William Chapman, Legislative Consultant – Federal Issues, TAC
Texas counties maintain more road miles than any other state. With surface transportation reauthorization on the horizon, the federal programs that fund that infrastructure are entering a pivotal moment. NACo's chief government affairs officer joins TAC to walk through the national landscape, including what reauthorization means for county roads and bridges, how federal funding formulas affect local allocations, and where Texas counties fit into the broader conversation.
Moderators: Jason Kirksey, Legislative Consultant - Sheriffs' Association of Texas, TAC
Jack Austin, Policy Analyst, TAC
Recent disasters throughout the state have brought to the forefront the issue of interoperability among first responders. Interoperability is critical because it ensures that systems, agencies and technologies can communicate seamlessly during routine operations and high‑stakes emergencies. This panel brings together first responders from diverse agencies to share insights, challenges and strategies for improving interoperability in the field.
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
Open during lunch, noon-1:30 p.m.
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
1. From Pennies to Policy: Operational Impacts on Texas Counties
2. Natural Disasters in Texas: Practical Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for Counties
3. Death Inquests in Texas: Bridging the Gap Between JPs and Medical Examiners
4. Miles of Opportunity: Reauthorization, Federal Investment, and the Road Ahead for Texas Counties
5. Radio Interoperability: Ensuring Communications for All Responders
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
Moderator: Stefan Silveira, Legislative Consultant - County Judges and Commissioners Association, TAC
Join Chairman Charles Perry for a timely discussion on the work of the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs. This conversation will highlight key insights from recent interim hearings and outline the committee’s legislative priorities before the 90th legislative session.
Moderator: Kirsten Mills, Legislative Consultant - Texas Association of County & Districts Clerks' Association, TAC
This panel examines how policy translates into real-world implementation, with a focus on the key challenges and priorities as Texas counties prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
Moderator: Elizabeth Choate, Senior Legislative Consultant - Texas District and County Attorneys, TAC
Counties are navigating rapid growth in data centers, solar projects and the resulting effects on resources, property rights and communities. Panelists will examine available policy tools to promote responsible development. Plus, a look at what may be coming next at the Legislature.
Moderators: William Chapman, Legislative Consultant – Federal Issues, TAC
Wendy Cook, Legislative Data Analyst, TAC
How do federal census programs directly affect Texas communities? What is the formula used for funding? How can counties engage with these programs to maximize census-guided funding outcomes and grant opportunities for their residents? Join representatives from the Texas Demographic Center and Texas Census Institute to learn about the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) and the county-level population estimates that are used for federal formula allocations. Highly recommended for county judges, county commissioners, and any other county officials who want to understand how participation in the census helps Texas counties.
Moderator: Amy Bruno, Legislative Consultant - County Treasurers' Association of Texas, TAC
Taxpayers want and expect their county officials to be good stewards of county finances. To accomplish this, county judges, auditors and treasurers must work cooperatively and collaboratively. Join panelists as they discuss their roles in the money management process, what works for their county, and strategies for improving collaboration and communication around county finances. This panel is of interest to county judges, auditors, treasurers, and any county official wanting to understand the roles of each of these officials and learn how their responsibilities interact.
Palm Park, Level
6. 90th Legislative Session Preview: A Conversation on the Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
7. The State of Elections
8. Power Without Authority: How Counties Can Shape the Development of Data Centers
9. Counting on You: Strategies for Maximizing Federal Allocations in 2030
10. The Gold Standard: How County Judges, Auditors and Treasurers Can Work Together To Safeguard Local Money
Congressional Ballroom, Level 3
Affiliate organizations host a 1.5-hour meeting to discuss legislative issues or association business during the conference. These meetings will not be livestreamed. For more information, please contact your TAC Legislative Consultant or affiliate representative.
This social event is open to all registered attendees and is an opportunity to celebrate all county officials who have volunteered their time and expertise to advocate on behalf of counties. Thank you for your efforts!
Sponsored by: Core Legislative Group
Level 5 Foyer
(live online only)
Manchester Ballroom, Level 5
Manchester Ballroom, Level 5
Welcome and Introductions
Presiding: Hon. Randy Riggs, McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector and President-Elect, Texas Association of Counties
State Decisions, Local Impacts: The County Impact of State Property Tax Policy
Moderators: Caroline Love, Director of Legislative Services, TAC
Stefan Silveira, Legislative Consultant - County Judges and Commissioners Association, TAC
Panelists will explore how state-level property tax decisions shape the ability of counties to fund and deliver essential services such as public safety, infrastructure, and road maintenance. Panelists will also examine opportunities for better alignment between state policy goals and the on-the-ground realities counties face, with a focus on sustainable, effective solutions for Texas communities.