Harris County commissioners will meet Jan. 8 with more than 300 agenda items spanning from county operations and security regarding the upcoming election cycle to the possible postponement of the Ben Taub Hospital expansion in the Texas Medical Center.
What you need to know
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth has several items related to the upcoming March primary elections, May primary runoff elections and the November general election.
One item by the county clerk includes establishing an interlocal agreement with the city of Houston Police Department as part of an Election Security Task Force. Hudspeth will also discuss the resources her office will need to conduct the 2026 elections.
One of Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis's agenda items calls for the postponement of the Harris Health community engagement report regarding the Ben Taub Hospital expansion, adding another delay to the Texas Medical Center project. In October, Harris County commissioners voted unanimously to push back the proposed Dec. 11 public hearing for the hospital expansion.
Several amendments, internal deadlines and meetings for the expansion were added Oct. 31 as part of a coordinated effort by county and city of Houston stakeholders that included community input and a formal presentation in January. Commissioners set the new date for the public hearing in March.
What else?
Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey has several agenda items calling for discussions on county operation oversight. One item on the agenda calls for possible action on "Harris County Hospital District issues."
Ramsey will also call for a discussion on the county's compliance with Senate Bill 1933, which passed during the 88th legislative session in 2023. SB 1933 focuses on the way Harris County handles elections and allows the secretary of state’s office to oversee Harris County elections if an election complaint is filed.
Also on the agenda
Several resolutions by Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones include recognizing January as Muslim American Heritage Month, Jan. 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and recognizing Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee's service to the county.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis will call for a resolution honoring Rabbi Roy Allen Walter of Congregation Emanu El. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's resolution designates January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Harris County.
A quick note
Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston. Meetings are also available to livestream here.
