The bill stipulates that a county judge and justices of the peace can have their pay withheld until a budget for the current year is approved, if one is not in place by January 1. It also mandates that the previous year's approved budget be implemented to ensure employee pay and other expenses are covered.

A lawsuit against Jefferson County officials initially filed in April 2024 was updated on Jan. 30 as county employees remain unpaid due to a budget impasse.

After more than a month in a gridlock, the quorum court continues to push back against the county judge's proposed budget.