BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2273
89R10183 AMF-D	By: Bonnen; Leo Wilson (Middleton)
	Local Government
	5/18/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The bill author has informed the committee that Galveston County faces unique challenges requiring swift, effective leadership during emergencies and that hurricanes, industrial risks from refineries, and the presence of critical infrastructure like biolabs heighten the need for clear governance mechanisms. The bill author has also informed the committee that state law allows for the emergency delegation of certain duties of the county judge in certain counties, but that this law does not currently apply to Galveston County. H.B. 2273 seeks to extend to certain counties the authority to delegate certain powers in order to ensure efficient and effective county government operations in Galveston County, especially during times of disaster.

H.B. 2273 amends current law relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 81.028, Local Government Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 81.028. DELEGATION OF DUTIES OF COUNTY JUDGE IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 81.028(a), Local Government Code, to provide that this section applies only, rather than exclusively, to a county judge in a county with certain characteristics, including with a population of at least 350,000 and not more than 370,000 that is adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent to a county with a population of at least 3.3 million, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Amends the heading to Section 81.029, Local Government Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 81.029. DELEGATION OF DUTIES OF COUNTY JUDGE TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.