Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
Short bills that assist in tidying up
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
Hopefully what occurred with Bois D'Arc Levee improvement does not happen often - forgotten property that needs to be handled post dissolution. An endowment fund which hopefully stops needing support from the General revenue fund. And permission to the Supreme Court of Texas regarding Discovery rules.Short bills that assist in tidying up
Published: 2024-08-15
HB 3469
Disposition of property by former Bois D'Arc Island Levee Improvement District of Dallas and Kaufman Counties
It appears there was property still owned by the former Bois D'Arc Island Levee Improvement District of Dallas and Kaufman counties. Property that was owned when it was, and not properly disposed off prior to it's dissolution. So this bill is to permit Dallas and Kaufman counties to appoint a trustee/receiver to dispose of this property. The proceeds of which will pay the cost of the trustee/receiver and any debts/liabilities of the former Bois D'Arc. Any remaining funds will be equally divided between Dallas and Kaufman Counties.
HB 3929
Adoption by the Supreme Court of Texas the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act
This bill gives the Supreme Court of Texas the ability to adopt the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act before 9/1/25. If adopted it supersedes Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 20.002.
SB 1333
Creation of the Texas State buildings preservation endowment fund
This fund is not subject to the State Funds Reform Act found in the Government Code, Chapter 404, Subchapter F.
The Fund will be the Texas state buildings preservation endowment fund. The Trust Company is the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. The purpose of the fund is to maintain, preserve, rehabilitate, and restore state buildings and grounds.
It is funded by money transferred or appropriated by the legislature. This will include the funds previously in the former captial renewal trust fund, Governor's Mansion renewal trust fund, and State Cemetery preservation fund. It is able to receive gifts, grants, and donations. And it keeps any return on investment the fund makes.
The comptroller shall set the purchasing power of the assets of the funds each year. It shall be set to provide a stable and predictable series of annual distributions from the fund, and meet the liquidity of the fund as necessary. The expenses of managing the fund and its assets shall be paid by the fund.
Funds distributed from the fund to the board may only be used to maintain, preserve, rehabilitate and restore buildings and grounds over which the board has jurisdiction. They shall allocate to projects at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum one-third of each annual distribution, except not of the portion attributable to the former capital renewal trust fund, Governor's Mansion renewal trust fund, and State Cemetery preservation trust fund. The board may purchase land in close proximity to the State Cemetery to expand the cemetery. They may not use the funds to pay salaries, employee benefits or costs associated with, administration costs, operating costs, or program costs of the board or the buildings and grounds.
A withdraw of funds beyond those which are determined are readily available must be approved. The board must certify that the use of the additional funds has been reviewed and approved. They must certify that all law governing procurement and contracts has been followed. And they must certify that the additional funds will not be used for the following:
- to pay salaries, employee benefits or their costs, or administration, operating or program costs assocated with the board or the buildings and grounds;
- except as stated previously, to acquire new historic sites or real property;
- purchase capital equipment that is not related to rehabilitation or restoration of a building or grounds
Webpage created by and for J.B. Williams, J.D. - all rights reserved