Texas House Bill HB3588

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/6/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Report Pass: 4/5/11

Caption

Relating to the use of a county risk management pool by certain county and district officers instead of the execution of bonds.

Impact

This legislative change is expected to enhance the ability of county officials to assume their responsibilities without the barriers posed by bond requirements. It also allows for assurances of financial responsibility through alternative means, potentially increasing efficiency in local governance. The amendments will specifically affect the bonding processes attributes to certain positions, such as district attorneys, simplifying their onboarding procedure.

Summary

House Bill 3588 proposes an amendment to the Local Government Code, allowing county and district officers to utilize coverage from a county risk management pool rather than securing traditional bonds. Currently, many officers are mandated to execute bonds to ensure their accountability. By introducing this alternative, the bill aims to streamline the process for these officials and extend relevant protections without the requirement of traditional bonds.

Contention

While proponents celebrate this measure as a significant step towards more flexible governance, some critics may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of risk management pool coverage versus traditional bonds. There might be apprehensions regarding potential gaps in accountability that could arise, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the financial stability of these risk management pools and that they fully meet the bond requirements they are replacing.