Legislative Services

We could all use a little extra caffeine as we near the end of the legislative session. (Only nine days to go, and yes, like you, we’re counting.) Fortunately, TAC’s weekly Tuesday Morning Breakfast continues to serve up plenty of coffee along with timely updates on key bills affecting Texas counties.

Lawmakers are racing against critical deadlines as the 89th Legislature approaches sine die on June 2. The next big deadline is Tuesday, May 27, when the House must consider all Senate bills on second reading. What advances — and what doesn’t — could have significant implications for counties.

Last week, we noted that bail reform and Senate Bill 3, the THC ban, are considered the two issues most likely to trigger a special session if they fail to pass. Gov. Greg Abbott has declared bail reform as an emergency item for three sessions in a row. With a school voucher program signed, sealed and delivered, bail reform had emerged as Abbott’s top legislative priority.

Bail reform is a package deal that includes SB 9 and two proposed constitutional amendments, Senate Joint Resolution 1 and SJR 5, all authored by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston). SB 9 serves as the enabling legislation and would revise the public safety report system and limit magistrates’ authority to set bail, among other changes. Additionally, SB 40, also by Huffman, would prohibit local governments from using public funds to support nonprofits that pay for bail bonds.

SJR 1 would automatically deny bail to undocumented individuals charged with certain felonies. SJR 5 would allow judges to deny bail for specific felonies if there is evidence the accused poses a flight risk or threat to public safety. To be added to the Texas Constitution, each resolution must receive a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate and win voter approval in November.

SB 9 and SB 40 are poised to reach the governor’s desk; SJR 5 is on its way to Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson for inclusion on the Nov. 4 ballot. The fate of SJR 1 is uncertain. It currently appears to lack the necessary 100 votes to pass the House.

Meanwhile, SB 3 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), which would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is now expected to pass. The House had amended the bill in committee to allow regulated sales of some low-level THC products but on Wednesday reversed course and gave preliminary approval to a full ban. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants a complete ban and had signaled he may push for a special session to achieve one. The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas supports a full ban on THC.

On a separate note, Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin attended Tuesday’s breakfast, having testified the day before on House Bill 5084 before the Senate Local Government Committee. HB 5084 by Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Smithville) would allow fireworks sales in a county during the five days before Lunar New Year if approved by the county’s commissioners court. Irwin’s testimony emphasized the importance of preserving county decision-making authority on the issue.

Also present was Comal County Commissioner Jen Crownover, immediate past president of the County Judges and Commissioners Association. On Monday, Crownover cautioned against HB 23 by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) in the Senate Local Government Committee. Harris’ bill would allow developers to use third-party reviews and inspections for plans and permits.

For more on legislation of interest to counties, see this newsletter’s Bills on the Move article. You can also track all relevant bills by county office on our Bills by Office webpage.

Only one Tuesday Morning Breakfast remains this session. Register here to join us for our final gathering of 2025.