Fort Bend County is preparing for the 88th Texas legislative session, set to convene Jan. 10, by identifying its priorities for the legislative agenda. The county will submit proposals to local legislators that pertain to trail accessibility in CenterPoint Energy easements, hotel occupancy tax, pension bonds and revenue caps.
On Dec. 13, Commissioners Court workshopped possible legislative proposals, areas of interests to monitor in the upcoming session and funding opportunities for the county’s priorities.
As of Dec. 12, 1,275 bills have been filed for the session, according to Michelle Whittenburg, legislative consultant for Fort Bend County. Typically, approximately 7,000 bills are filed during a legislative session, Whittenburg said. Furthermore, a full landscape of bills to track is not currently available, but weekly updates will be provided to commissioners for any bills filed that pertain to the county’s priorities.
In addition to the four priorities already identified, Fort Bend County will monitor, support or oppose these topics:
- Support bills that promote local control.
- Monitor election bills.
- Support animal protection initiatives, such as an animal cruelty offender database and criminal responsibility for certain vicious dog attacks.
- Support Medicaid expansion bills.
- Oppose unfunded mandate bills and provisions.
- Oppose revenue caps.
- Support the continuation of House Bill 3 funding for schools.
Fort Bend County will also look for funding support on its mental health, criminal and juvenile justice, and transportation and infrastructure programs and initiatives. Currently, Whittenburg said, no budget bills have been filed on these topics yet.
The county will also consider bills that would reduce red tape for the Fort Bend County Attorney’s office regarding civil commitments, allow the district clerk to accept credit cards and money orders for passport offices, and allow the district clerk to recoup expenses for sending certified notices to persons who have excess proceeds from the sale of delinquent property.
Additionally, Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, who oversees the areas surrounding Sugar Land and Missouri City, proposed initiatives to increase transparency and accountability of special purpose districts; place emphasis on next generation energy, such as nuclear energy; and increase funding for broadband and mobility.
