By: Madla S.B. No. 1534
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the payment of property damages caused by certain
1-3 counties.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 111.070, Local Government Code, is
1-6 amended as follows:
1-7 (a) The commissioners court may spend county funds only in
1-8 strict compliance with the budget, except as provided by this
1-9 section.
1-10 (b) The commissioners court may authorize an emergency
1-11 expenditure as an amendment to the original budget only in a case
1-12 of grave public necessity to meet an unusual and unforeseen
1-13 condition that could not have been included in the original budget
1-14 through the use of reasonably diligent thought and attention. If
1-15 the court amends the original budget to meet an emergency, the
1-16 court shall file a copy of its order amending the budget with the
1-17 county clerk and the clerk shall attach the copy to the original
1-18 budget.
1-19 (c) In a county of less than 15,000, a commissioners court
1-20 may authorize an unbudgeted expenditure to reimburse a person for
1-21 any damages caused to the property of the person by the county for
1-22 an amount not to exceed $2,500. If the court amends the original
1-23 budget for payment of these damages, the court shall file a copy of
2-1 its order amending the budget, along with a certified statement of
2-2 reason for reimbursement, with the county clerk and the clerk shall
2-3 attach the copy to the original budget.
2-4 [(c)](d) The commissioners court by order may amend the budget
2-5 to transfer an amount budgeted for one item to another budgeted
2-6 item without authorizing an emergency expenditure.
2-7 SECTION 2. Section 111.070(c), Local Government Code, as
2-8 amended by the Act, applies only to damages paid by the
2-9 commissioners court for causes that occur on or after the effective
2-10 date of this Act. Damages caused before the effective date of this
2-11 Act are governed by the law that was in effect immediately before
2-12 the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
2-13 effect for that purpose.
2-14 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2000.