On May 14, Houston ISD’s board of managers opted to request an exemption to a new state law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses that would cost the district about $29.1 million to comply with.

Current situation: Senate Bill 546 requires public school districts to add three-point seat belts to all school buses by Sept. 1, 2029. HISD has 278 buses that would either need to be retrofitted or replaced to comply with the new law, which could cost the district:

• $4.51 million total—or $24,000-$38,000 per bus—for retrofitting
• $24.59 million total—or $156,000-$165,000 per bus —to replace buses

Paris Baguette, a global bakery with over 4,000 locations, has opened a new cafe in Houston. 

The details: The new location was designed to reflect the character of the Heights neighborhood and blends its Parisian cafe culture with a community-driven design, according to a May 11 news release from company representatives. 

Operated by franchisee Jim Wang of JW Concepts, the menu features fresh-baked pastries, signature cakes, specialty coffee and globally inspired flavors. 

One more thing: Paris Baguette is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• 1835 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste.  B, Houston

Houston’s Parks Department said it is ready to open 34 out of its 37 pools this summer.

During the Parks Department’s May 15 budget workshop, Director Kenneth Allen said three pools will be down for maintenance reasons this summer.

The department will roll out the pool openings beginning with 10 on Memorial Day weekend.

“Two will hopefully come back online, and the third one will take a while, that’s Tidwell, because of renovations and reconstruction,” Allen said.

Why it matters: In 2024, the city had a lifeguard shortage, which led to fewer than two dozen of the city’s 37 pools opening for the summer.

This year, Allen said, the FY 2026-27 budget will offer salary increases for lifeguards.

“We dropped the incentives and increased the pay by $2 [an hour] with each classification,” Allen said during the meeting. "And it’s been a shot in the arm, so to speak, with recruitment.”

Allen added that the department is also hiring 15-year-olds, which has also helped with recruitment.

Harris County officials are gearing up for another summer of tough budget decisions as the projected shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27 could reach up to $257 million, according to a May 14 presentation to Commissioners Court.

The overview: Based on current spending forecasts, Harris County’s general fund shortfall for FY 2026-27 is projected to range from $129 million to $257 million pending the adopted property tax rate, OMB Director Daniel Ramos told Commissioners Court.

More details: While Harris County’s spending has increased year over year—jumping 12% in FY 2025-26 compared to the prior year—revenue sources aren’t keeping pace, the presentation shows. The county is on track to conclude the current fiscal year Sept. 30 with a $27 million shortfall, Ramos said. 

Quote of note: “You’re going to be hearing about Harris County fees, cuts [and] others soon enough if we don’t figure out a way to be more efficient,” County Judge Lina Hidalgo said. “We put the county and the people of Harris County at a $200 million hole irresponsibly last year.”

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories across the Greater Houston area from May 11-May 15.

1. NewQuest starts construction on new retail space at The Grand at 249 in Tomball

2. Parisina fabric store opens in The Woodlands area at former Joann location

3. Magnolia ISD OKs construction managers-at-risk for bond projects, land purchase for new high school

4. Houston highlights security, transit preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup

5. Potbelly now serving toasted sandwiches in Conroe

Two major provisions of Texas' immigration enforcement law were blocked by a federal judge May 14, extending a yearslong legal battle over state and federal authority to remove undocumented migrants from the country.

What's happening: Siding with two Honduran immigrants who sued the state, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra struck down two components of Senate Bill 4 hours before the 2023 law was set to take effect. An unchallenged portion of SB 4 will become law May 15.

More details: A May 4 lawsuit challenged sections of the law that would allow Texas police to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the Texas-Mexico border multiple times and authorize state judges to issue deportation orders for those arrested.

Ezra granted a preliminary injunction against those parts of the law May 14, writing that only the federal government has the authority to enforce immigration restrictions.

Stay tuned: The state attorney general's office is expected to appeal the ruling, but did not respond to a request for comment before press time.