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Seal of the Senate of the State of Texas
Welcome to the official website for the
Texas Senate
 
Senate Committee on Local Government
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 88th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Paul Bettencourt

VICE-CHAIR
Drew Springer

MEMBERS
Sarah Eckhardt
Roland Gutierrez
Bob Hall
Robert Nichols
Tan Parker
Angela Paxton
Royce West

 

CLERK:
Bradley Hurt

TEL:
(512) 463-2527

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 475

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Interim Charges

  • Additional Property Tax Relief and Reform: Report on the effects of prior property tax relief and reform, including the $18 billion tax cut with the $100,000 homestead exemption authorized by the 88th Legislature. Focus particularly on the interaction between Senate Bill 2, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and Senate Bill 2, 86th Legislature. Make recommendations for further property tax relief and reform, including methods to improve voter control over tax rate setting and debt authorization, and mechanisms to dissolve taxing entities such as municipal management districts (MMDs) and tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) when they have outlived their purpose.
  • Extra-Territorial Jurisdictions: Study issues related to the implementation of Senate Bill 2038 and House Bill 3053, 88th Legislature, and make recommendations to secure and enhance the protection of landowners' property rights.
  • Local Government Spending of Directly Distributed Federal Funds: Examine how local governments spend funds directly distributed to them by the federal government, such as Harris County's use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to set up a guaranteed-income pilot program. Make recommendations to ensure that the spending of such funds is transparent, accountable, and within the legitimate purposes for local governments under Texas law.
  • Housing Affordability: Study issues related to housing, including housing supply, homelessness, and methods of providing and financing affordable housing. Make recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers, strengthen property rights, and improve transparency and accountability in public programs for housing.
  • Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: Review current laws relating to “squatters” or those claiming adverse possession of property. Make recommendations to streamline the process for the immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights of property owners’.
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