Meeting the Needs of Chambers County: Rural Victories from the 89th Legislature

By Rep. Terri Leo Wilson

 The 89th Texas Legislature concluded in June with the passage of a $338 billion budget and key legislation to address the needs of Texas communities. I am proud to report that rural counties like Chambers were not left behind. From public safety to healthcare and infrastructure, we made meaningful investments that will directly strengthen our communities.

Funding for Local Projects and Counties

  Through Senate Bill 1, the two-year state budget, and House Bill 500, the supplemental appropriations bill, the Legislature approved hundreds of millions of dollars for counties and local governments. These investments ensure that rural Texas has the tools it needs to meet local challenges.

Public Safety and Rural Law Enforcement

  Strong local law enforcement is the backbone of rural safety. The Legislature created and funded the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program (SB 22) with $330.8 million for the 2024-2025 biennium. Nearly $126 million was awarded in the first year, with $128.7 million in the second. Funding is distributed by county population, with sheriff’s offices receiving between $250,000 and $500,000, and district or county attorney’s offices receiving between $100,000 and $275,000. These funds are primarily used to raise salaries to new minimum levels, but they may also be used to hire new staff or purchase equipment. For counties like Chambers, this program ensures our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to attract and retain qualified officers and prosecutors.

  Other rural safety victories included expansion of the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (SB 868), new grants for ambulance providers in rural counties (HB 3000), and authorization for counties to establish law enforcement agencies and commission peace officers (SB 2078).

Infrastructure and Water Projects

  Rural infrastructure was another top priority. The Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program (HB 3010) will help counties rebuild after natural disasters. The Adopt-a-County Road Program (HB 2560) allows communities to directly support maintenance of local roads.

  We also secured long-term water and flood funding through SB 7 and HJR 7, which dedicate $1 billion annually from state sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund beginning in 2027. This funding will support local governments in flood control, drainage, and water supply projects, ensuring rural counties like Chambers are better prepared for both growth and severe weather events.

  I also filed legislation to raise the competitive procurement threshold for counties at the request of Chambers County. Ultimately my efforts shifted to support and pass SB 1173. This bill raised the competitive procurement threshold for counties from $50,000 to $100,000, allowing counties to purchase goods and services for projects up to $100,000 without going through a costly and time-consuming bidding process. This change gives our local governments more flexibility and efficiency in managing taxpayer resources.

Healthcare and Emergency Services

  We increased support for rural healthcare through the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, and we launched a new rural child welfare pilot program (SB 513). Rural volunteer fire departments and EMS providers also received significant new resources, including funding to reduce backlogs in grant awards and the creation of new programs to strengthen ambulance and wildfire response in rural areas.

Support for Teachers and Schools

  Rural schools face unique challenges with teacher recruitment and retention. That is why we passed HB 2 and SB 26, which created the Teacher Retention Allotment (TRA) and Support Staff Retention Allotment (SSRA). For school districts with 5,000 or fewer students, teachers with 3-4 years of experience will receive a $4,000 raise, while teachers with 5 or more years of experience will receive $8,000. These allotments provide permanent raises that will help our schools keep experienced teachers and staff right here in Chambers County.

Tax Relief for Rural Counties and Agriculture

  We delivered meaningful tax relief tailored to rural needs. HB 1109 exempts gasoline and diesel fuel sold to a county for its exclusive use, lowering costs for rural counties that maintain large road networks and emergency fleets.

  We also passed HJR 99, a proposed constitutional amendment that will allow the Legislature to exempt retail animal feed from property taxes. Its implementing legislation, HB 1399, will take effect if voters approve the amendment, closing the loophole that treated feed as taxable inventory. This change will lower costs for ranchers, feed stores, and agricultural businesses across Texas.

Strengthening Local Governance and Economic Development

  Rural counties received additional support through measures like the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program (HB 2765) and new employee benefits, including family leave pools for county employees (HB 334). We also passed SB 1745, which re-designates and expands the powers of the Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District in Chambers County. This legislation gives Cedar Port greater flexibility as a navigation district, strengthening its ability to attract investment and support economic growth in our region.

A Commitment to Chambers County

  I remain committed to ensuring that Chambers County has a strong voice at the Capitol. Our rural needs, from reliable infrastructure and healthcare access to economic opportunity and public safety, are not secondary priorities; they are at the heart of a stronger Texas.

  As we move forward, I will continue to fight for the resources and policies that protect our way of life here in Chambers County. Together, we are ensuring that rural Texas is not only heard but equipped to prosper.