Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4 bills that modify the Government Code

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

HB 2154 - Law enforcement agency now includes the office of the attorney general.

HB 2464 - Provides guidelines for how the annuity increase can be computed and who is eligible for said increase.

HB 2499 - Designates June 28 as Special Forces Day to be observed by appropriate ceremonies

HB 2620 - Rules around the time for transfer of a person (inmate) to state custody from a county, and potential costs incurred when that time is not met.

4 bills that modify the Government Code

Published: 2024-05-01

HB 2154

Adoption of physical fitness programs and standards for law enforcement officers employed by the office of the attorney general

Law enforcement agency definition is expanded to include the office of the attorney general.

HB 2464

Optional annuity increases for certain retirees and beneficiaries of the Texas Municipal Retirement System

This section is for municipality that adopt the ordinance to increase annuities effective January 1, 2024, 2025, or 2026. They may elect to computer the increase as the sum of prior and current service annuities, as increased in subsequent years of the person whose service they are based upon, multiplied by:

1. percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers during the 12 months period ending in December of the year that is 13 months before the effective date; and
2. 30%, 50%, or 70%, as specified by the governing body in the ordinance

This only applies to municipalities that are participating as of January 1, 2023 and that do not have an annual annuity increase by ordinance that was based before January 1, 2023 or has not passed an ordinance authorizing annual increases. The receiver of the increase must have retired not later than the last day of December of the year that is 13 months before the effective date or the beneficiary of the deceased retiree whose death occurred 13 months before the effective date.

HB 2499

Designating June 28 as Special Forces Day

June 28 is Special Forces Day. It is to honor men and women who served in special operation forces of the United States armed forces. It shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies.

HB 2620

Confinement in a county jail of a person pending a transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justices and to compensation to a county for certain costs of confinement

The board has to review the documents and either certify them or notify the county that they require corrective action within 5 business days. And they must accept persons (previously called inmates) with a time period (previously 45 days). Now that time period is 45 days from the date the documents are certified. If they do not take custody within this time period, then they must compensate the county for the cost of confinement for each day the person remains confined in county jail following the expiration of the period.

If the person remains in county jail because of a delay caused by the county:

1. the county is not entitled to compensation for any dayss the person remains in confined due to the delay caused by the county; and
2. the county and the department shall arrange for the transfer as soon as practicable.

Cost of confinement means the amount that would have been incurred by the department to confine the person. This does not include costs for medical, behavioral, or pharmaceutical care.

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.