Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_____________________ L OCAL
OCAL GOVERNMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Attorney Participation in Open or Closed Meetings - S.B. 695
by Senator Wentworth
House Sponsor: Representative Clark
State law allows for a governmental body to consult with its attorney in a closed meeting, but requires the
attorney to be present when litigation is being discussed. For small rural communities the cost of retaining
an attorney to be present at such meetings may be prohibitive, which in turn, may force them to make
important decisions without the benefit of legal advice.
Allows the attorney of a governmental body to be present in open or closed meetings either in person, by
telephone conference call, video conference call, or via Internet communications.
County Funds Received After the Adoption of the Budget - S.B. 732
by Senator Barrientos
House Sponsor: Representative Farabee
Current law prohibits the county auditor from certifying funds for the current fiscal year that are received
after the fiscal year goes into effect unless the funds are public or private grant or aid money or the funds
are received from an intergovernmental contract. This prevents the county from using funds from other
sources throughout the year and requires the county to hold the money until it can be budgeted into the
next fiscal year.
Requires a county auditor to certify to the commissioners court the receipt of revenue from a new source
not anticipated before the adoption of the budget for that fiscal year.
Authorizes the commissioners court to adopt a special budget for the limited purpose of spending the
revenue.
Requires the county tax assessor-collector to prepare a budget for the expenditure of the funds during that
fiscal year and file a copy of that budget with the county budget officer. Provides that the budget filed with
the county budget officer is not subject to approval by the commissioners court of the county, but any
member of the public is entitled to speak for or against the budget during the county's budget process.
Provides that funds in the accounts may be spent only in compliance with the budget filed with the county
budget officer. Prohibits funds in the accounts from being used to supplement the salary or cover the
personal expenses of the county tax assessor-collector.
Tax-Exempt Benefits for County Employees - S.B. 802
by Senator Gallegos
House Sponsor: Representative Bailey
Conforms state statutes to new federal legislation that allows county employees to take advantage of a tax
savings for qualified benefit plans.
Senate Research Center 202