Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
5 bills that modify the Local 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 14
HB 17 - removal of prosecuting attorney
HB 784
HB 1381
HB 1440 - Administrative approval of contract changes
5 bills that modify the Local Government Code
Published: 2026-01-22
Multiple short modifications
HB 14 - pages
Allows a third party to review for approval documents submitted to a regulatory body that is not doing anything beyond 15 days. The third party may not be the applicant or a person whose work is subject of the applicant. It may be done by an employee of the regulatory authority, one employed by another subdivision and approved by the regulatory authority, or a licensed engineer.
Failure of a regulatory authority to conduct an inspection by the 15th day permits a third party to do so. The third party may be certified to inspect building by the International Code Council, employed by the regulatory authority as a building inspector; employed by another subdivision as a building inspector and having authority; or a licensed engineer. The third party may not be the applicant or a person whose work is subject of the applicant.
An applicant can appeal a decision within 15 days. The appellate board has 60 days after the appeal is filed to make a decision.
HB 17 - 7 pages
Official misconduct for prosecuting attorneys now includes adoption or enforcement of a policy to refuse to prosecute a class or type of criminal offense. It also includes instructing law enforcement to refuse to arrest individuals suspected of committing a class or type of offense. There is an exception where state law or an injunction or court order permits; in response to reasonable evidentiary impediment to prosecution; or to provide diversion as permissible under state law.
Any citizen of the county may file for the removal of the prosecuting attorney alleging the cause for removal. If the removal is found that the prosecuting attorney did not do what was claimed, then there may be an award of attorney's fees.
HB 784 - 3 pages
This applies to counties larger than 800,000 and are on the international border and borders another state.
A county judge may sign an order permitting a county commissioner or a chief administrator, or another county officer the authority to sign on behalf of the county judge.
HB 1381 - 2 pages
Zoning commission must have at least 1 public hearing before submitting a final report.
HB 1440 - 2 pages
If a contract was competitively bid, then a municipality of at least 240,000 may permit an administrative official to approval a change involving an increase or decrease of up to $100,000.
This sounds harmless and efficient. Permits if it remains at the $100,000, or if they required 2 people to approval, then it may remain mostly harmless and efficient. But I foresee this number increasing and fraud growing. I say growing because I'm beyond certain that it won't take long for small amounts of fraud to occur. Just saw in Denton County the $100K's that a long time employee took from the county fraudulently.
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