BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 186

By: Perry

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In Texas, counties may issue voter-approved bonds to fund a number of county projects, such as building courthouses or jails, constructing bridges, or improving or maintaining public roads. However, counties are not permitted to issue voter-approved bonds to restore or maintain courthouses. Smaller counties with limited financial resources often lack the necessary funds to adequately restore or maintain rural courthouses. Therefore, many historic county courthouses that have been at the center of rural life for decades have begun to fall into disrepair. In an effort to promote greater transparency and community acceptance of courthouse restoration and maintenance projects, there have been calls to authorize counties to issue bonds for these projects that are approved by voters in an election, instead of issuing certificates of obligation. S.B. 186 seeks to provide that authorization.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 186 amends the Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to issue certain voter-approved bonds to restore or maintain a county courthouse.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.