What it means for you
All Harris County departments will be required to go through Universal Services for AI procurement, piloting, or deployment, rather than acting independently; a formal AI governance structure is being established.
Outcome
A motion was made by Commissioner Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Ellis, to direct Universal Services to be in compliance with House Bill 149 by developing a countywide AI Program that includes a detailed resource plan and AI strategy based on requests from all departments; and to direct Universal Services to work with OCA and OMB to return to Commissioners Court on February 26, 2026 with the fiscal note for the effort. In response to the motions approved on 12/11/2025 related to the Technology Procurement (TPR) and Artificial Intelligence governance, direct Harris County Universal Services to work in coordination with all County departments, to lead and facilitate interdepartmental collaboration to identify, evaluate, and implement AI solutions that may materially impact County operations, services, residents, or regulatory functions. The scope includes any solution, service, application, system, or platform that utilizes AI technologies, whether or not it is directly solicited or supported by a County department. Further, no County department shall independently procure, pilot, or deploy AI systems or tools that may have enterprise-wide, operational, legal, cybersecurity, or public-facing impacts without coordination with Universal Services and completion of required County review and governance processes. Universal Services shall serve as the coordinating authority to develop a comprehensive AI policy that ensures alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, data privacy, and responsible use principles, and shall report back to Commissioners Court by March 19, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote: (5-0)
How each member voted
Official source
Official meeting record — Harris County Legistar ↗