The Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations met on February 23, 2010 to take up five of their nine interim charges. The meetings focused on Interim Charges 2 (MUDs), 4 (property ownership and federal assistance programs), 6 (rural annexation and zoning), and  7 (city-county government consolidation), and 8 (MMDs, ESDs, PIDs). Chairman Royce West explained that although they only took invited testimony at the hearing, they will be taking public comments on all interim charges before final recommendations are made.

West will continue the working group format from last session, the Senate committee will establish working groups of stakeholders who assist the committee in coming up with recommendations. HillCo Clients who are interested in the workgroups should contact HillCo Partners. The IGR committee website also allows for the ability for the public to submit comments on the interim charges.

This hearing was the first of four scheduled hearings for the spring. The next hearing will be on April 6 & 7 in Houston to discuss special districts, property ownership and “briefly” discuss Home Owner Associations. The final spring hearing will occur during the month of May in Dallas. May 16^th has been blocked but has yet to be confirmed.

HillCo Partners will be covering the workgroups focusing on Charges 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 and will communicate with you as this review process unfolds. Should you desire to hear input on a specific area or have an area that is important please let us know.