Summary of the 1999 Legislative Session

Major legislation affecting cities

SB 89 produced a comprehensive revision of the state's annexation statutes. Cities are now required to develop three-year annexation plans. Municipal services must be provided to annexed areas within 2.5 years rather than the previous 4.5 years. The strategic partnership agreement statute is also modified.

HB 1777 changed how compensation is calculated for telecommunications franchising. Cities will now receive franchise fees based on the number of access lines within the city. The authority of a city to manage public right of way was preserved.

Major legislation affecting counties

The Legislature required county to set up accounting systems that follow generally accepted accounting standards. The Legislature also changed the indigent health care statute in several ways. Counties are now given more flexibility in deciding who is eligible for assistance, and they are now permitted to use their resources to pay for preventive services, such as immunizations and annual physical exams. In addition, the threshold for state assistance was reduced. In the past, if counties used 10 percent of their general property tax revenue for indigent health care, counties could apply to the state for financial aid. Under the new legislation, counties may apply for assistance if they use only 8 percent of their tax levy to pay for indigent care.

SB 710 gives counties more authority to regulate subdivision development to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

Selected committee interim charges

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

• Study the challenges Texas faces in meeting federal air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, the implications if Texas does not meet those standards on future economic growth, and how air quality relates to transportation needs in Texas.
• Study the state's groundwater resources with an emphasis on water conservation; examine regional approaches to groundwater management; inventory the availability of groundwater; and consider future regulation of groundwater and the role of groundwater districts.

Senate Committee on State Affairs

• Assess the effectiveness of current laws concerning oversize and overweight vehicles and the adequacy of the fee structure designed to compensate counties for road repair.
• Evaluate the funding and expenditures of metropolitan transit authorities and budgetary relationships with the cities they serve.

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

• Review the statutory authority granted to local governments to regulate the development of residential subdivisions; monitor the implementation of the new statutes governing municipal annexation.