Latest news with #SenateCommitteeonLocalGovernment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pair of bills would crack down on sale of dogs, cats in outdoor public spaces in Texas
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two bills aimed at cracking down on the sale of pets in outdoor public spaces in Texas are making their way through the legislative process. House Bills 2012 and 2731 were both voted on by the Texas House of Representatives in the last couple of weeks. HB 2731 was referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday. Last week, the House voted to refer HB 2012 to the Senate Committee on Transportation, and a public hearing for the bill is scheduled for Friday, May 23. The bills essentially have the same goal but their stipulations vary slightly. The overall goal of them both is to regulate the sale of animals if it occurs on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot. Both would amend the section of the transportation code in Texas law that relates to county regulation of roadside vendors and solicitors. The biggest difference between the two bills is that HB 2012 would only amend (a) of Section 285.001, and HB 2713 would amend (a) and (b). Here's what the current law says: (a) To promote the public safety, the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 1.3 million by order may regulate the following in the unincorporated area of the county if they occur on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot: (1) the sale of items by a vendor of food or merchandise, including live animals; (2) the erection, maintenance, or placement of a structure by a vendor of food or merchandise, including live animals; and (3) the solicitation of money.(b) The commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 870,000 that borders the United Mexican States by order may regulate the activities described by Subsection (a) in the manner described by that subsection, except that: (1) the regulation of activities on or in the right-of-way of a public highway or road is limited to public highways and roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or faster; and (2) the county may not prohibit the sale of livestock. HB 2012 would add a stipulation on which counties could be regulated under the law. It would amend the law to state: 'the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 1.3 million and a county with a population of more than 600,000 that is adjacent to a county with a population of more than four million.' HB 2713 would change the (a) section of the law to apply to a county of more than 500,000 point blank. HB 2713 would also change the (b) section to apply to a county with a population of more than 200,000 that borders the United Mexican States, rather than the current population cap of 870,000. It would also remove the first exception under (b), which states 'the regulation of activities on or in the right-of-way of a public highway or road is limited to public highways and roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or faster.' It would keep the second exception, which is that 'the county may not prohibit the sale of livestock.' The Senate has until next Wednesday, the 28th, to take action on the bills. Most legislation that does not pass through both the House and Senate chambers by the end of the day Wednesday will not move forward. Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare organization, issued a press release applauding the legislative chamber for moving forward with the legislation. The release said the bills would 'effectively ban the sale of dogs and cats in outdoor public spaces such as parking lots, roadsides and flea markets — venues commonly used to sell pets from puppy and kitten mills.' 'This bipartisan bill progress sends a big message to those who run puppy mills across Texas,' Laura Donahue, senior director of advocacy and network with the organization, said in the release. 'By disrupting roadside sales, we're making it a lot harder for unscrupulous breeders to reach the public, thus helping to curb this cruel and unethical practice.' The city of Austin has an ordinance that prohibits the sale of animals in public spaces, which is enforced by animal protection officers, according to the Austin Animal Services Office. The office declined to comment on pending legislation, but it said it will 'continue to monitor any state legislation related to animal welfare and will enforce any laws that are enacted and fall within our authority.' The office also noted that no such ordinance exists for Travis County, which is part of its 'broader jurisdiction.' Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) filed Senate Bill 1652, the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, earlier this year, KXAN reported. Its goal was to ban the retail sales of dogs and cats to address overcrowding at animal shelters and discourage the practice of purchasing animals from puppy mills. Texas lawmaker files bill aiming to end retail pet sales in state, targeting puppy mills Little movement has been made in the Senate chamber on that bill, which would've aimed to 'promote responsible breeding practices and reduce the number of families unknowingly purchasing unwell animals,' per our previous reporting. If passed, lawmakers hoped it would reduce the number of dogs coming into the state from puppy mills, where dogs are commercially bred to maximize profit, sacrificing the animal's health. SB 1652 was left pending in committee earlier this month. Its twin bill in the House, HB 3458, failed to reach a House vote before a key deadline last week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas eyes homestead exemption raise, property tax cut. How much could homeowners save?
Texas homeowners could save hundreds of dollars in annual school property taxes, building on the massive cuts lawmakers and voters approved in 2023, if a $22.7 billion state Senate priority proposal to again raise the homestead exemption becomes law. Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would raise the state's homestead exemption for school district taxes — a portion of a home's value that is not considered when calculating annual bills — from $100,000 to $140,000 if authorized by Texas voters. Twenty-nine of the chamber's 31 senators have signed onto the largely bipartisan bill, which was swiftly passed out of committee Tuesday and advanced for full Senate consideration. A related resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 2, would authorize a constitutional amendment election to permanently adopt the change. The Senate Committee on Local Government passed both proposals unanimously without amendments after a Tuesday morning hearing. Under SB 4, the state would cover school districts' budgetary shortfalls arising from the increased homestead exemption, meaning public schools would not miss out on critical funding due to the property tax cuts. A separate $3 billion provision in the Senate's draft budget bill, SB 1, would compress or "buy down" school districts' tax rates, potentially providing additional tax cuts to homeowners. "By following up on the largest, grandest, hugest property tax reduction in American history, $22.7 billion to be exact, SB 4 and SJR 2 provide more meaningful reduction to Texas homeowners by raising the homestead exemption to $140,000," Bettencourt said in a celebratory news release Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the upper chamber, designated SB 4 as priority legislation this session. Gov. Greg Abbott in his State of the State address last month declared property tax relief an emergency item. With the 40% increase in the homestead exemption, Bettencourt estimates homeowners on average could save about $363 in school property taxes each year. Together with the proposed tax rate compression, Bettencourt said taxpayers would save even more. "When you combine both the savings that will come through property tax relief on the state compression percentage and also the savings from the homestead exemption, the estimated savings is $496.57. That's $500, and that is significant," Bettencourt said during the hearing. If approved, SB 4 would provide the largest homestead exemption ever adopted in the state, and it would be the fifth time the Legislature and voters have raised the exemption since 1997, when it was boosted from $5,000 to $15,000. Texas voters in 2015 raised it again to $25,000, then again to $40,000 in 2022. During the second special session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, a bipartisan majority of lawmakers passed SB 2 and SB 3 to raise the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 amid a historic state budget surplus. Voters approved the $18 billion property tax cut with 83% support. Much of Texas' tax law, including the homestead exemption, is enshrined in the state constitution. Changes to the Texas Constitution require approval from two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature and a majority of the state's electorate. "Clearly, SB 4 is a big deal for Texas homeowners, and I look forward to seeing the overwhelming approval from the Texas Legislature and then the Texas voters. Tax relief is on the way,' Bettencourt said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Legislature eyes homestead exemption raise, property tax cut
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Goode bill looks at governance of potential county school funds
State Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, has authored a bill that would create a local oversight board to manage county resources for potential school improvements, should funds become available. The bill could potentially benefit the Vigo County School Corp., although it applies to all counties. Goode will present Senate Bill 382 to the Senate Committee on Local Government during a hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Indiana Statehouse, Room 233. The bill proposes the creation of a local, three-member oversight board to ensure transparency and accountability in managing county resources for potential school improvements, should funds become available, according to a news release through the Indiana Senate Republican press office. According to the Legislative Services Agency, the bill provides that, if a county transfers or gifts any unencumbered funds or property to a school corporation, a local board must be established to have oversight and manage the use of the funds or property. It also provides that the expenses of the local board shall be paid by the county. The local three-member board would have one member appointed by the mayor of the city or executive of the town having the largest population within the county; one member appointed by the county fiscal body; and the president of the school board for each school corporation wholly or partially located within the county. On Thursday, key stakeholders will join Goode to provide testimony in support of the legislation, highlighting its importance for Vigo County's future. 'While it is my name on the bill, SB 382 reflects a tremendous bipartisan collaboration and team effort for the potential greater good of Vigo County,' Goode said in a news release. 'I want to especially thank the leaders of Vigo County, City of Terre Haute, the school corporation and the business community for coming together and working for the advancement of this proposal to state policy makers.' Goode had no further comment on the bill Tuesday. Others slated to speak on the bill's behalf include Chris Switzer, Vigo County commissioner; Kristin Craig, president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce; Amy Lore, Vigo County School Board member; Brandon Sakbun, Terre Haute mayor; and Andy Volkl, Saturn Petcare COO. Those interested can also view a livestream of the hearing at Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at Follow Sue on X at @TribStarSue.
