Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, MPP, County Administrator
Secondary Department: County Attorney
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Abbie Kamin, County Attorney
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Transmittal by the Office of County Administration of the revised Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum at Meetings of the Commissioners Court of Harris County, Texas.
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Background and Discussion:
On July 9, 2026, Commissioners Court approved a proposed amendment to the Commissioners Court Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum at Meetings of the Commissioners Court of Harris County, Texas, suggested to be placed under Section VI (Public Participation), Subsection G (Proper Conduct Required), or another section recommended by the County Attorney's Office, with the following language:
"Harris County Commissioners Court welcomes invocation speakers representing the diverse faith traditions and communities of Harris County. Disruptions, interruptions, or discriminatory remarks directed toward an invocation speaker or the invocation process are prohibited. Any individual engaging in such conduct may be ruled out of order by any member of Commissioners Court or the Parliamentarian, and the individual may be removed from the courtroom consistent with applicable Court Rules and law.”
The Office of County Attorney has revised the policy accordingly and the document is transmitted here for transparency.
Expected Impact:
The revised rules will be implemented starting with the Commissioners Court meeting on August 6, 2026.
Alternative Options:
Commissioners Court has approved this amendment but could choose to further amend the document.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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07/09/2026 |
311 |
Court rules update re: invocation process approved. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): Commissioners Court chambers, 1001 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002
Precinct(s): Countywide
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/6/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department:
Lucinda Silva, Director of Operations, Office of County Administration
Traci Buttram, Manager of Operations, Office of County Administration
Jay Aiyer, First Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):
Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum at Meetings of the Commissioners Court of Harris County, Texas