According to Texas Almanac, it is estimated that there are more than 3,000 unincorporated towns within the state of Texas (Texas Almanac, n.d.). An unincorporated town “does not have a local government,” but exist “by tradition,” and “typically do not have elected officials at the town level” (Rampage, 2021). Furthermore, unincorporated areas “are not part of a city,” as “the county has authority for law enforcement and road maintenance. Their local ordinances, rules, and police regulations are usually
codified” (OER Commons, n.d.).
A Trio of New Transparency Laws: Examining the Open Government Reforms Instituted by SB 843, HB 103, & HB 3526
During the Regular Session, the 89th Texas Legislature passed three key measures to meaningfully improve fiscal transparency and cultivate a more informed decision-making environment. These well-intentioned measures include: • HB 103 (2025), relating to the creation and maintenance of a database of taxing unit bond, tax, and bond-related project information; providing a civil penalty; •...