SB 25

A bill that would give fiscal courts veto power over new or increasing taxes and fees has passed a Senate committee.

Senate Bill 25 would give county fiscal court or a city commission power to revise any new or increased tax or fee by a special purpose government entity.  The fiscal court or city commission would then have 30 days to approve or veto the tax. If no action is taken, the tax will be approved.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ralph Alvarado, was amended in committee to exclude language pertaining to fire district elections. Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 were removed from the bill upon the request of some county clerks and fire departments. That reduced the bill from 21 pages to just 8 pages.

It passed 8-0 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. It moves on to a potential floor vote in the Senate.