CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Intergovernmental Relations Council Committee
FROM: Jeff Coyle, Director of Government & Public Affairs
SUBJECT: Amendments for the City’s 86th State Legislative Program
DATE: October 5, 2018
SUMMARY
This item is a briefing and action amending the City of San Antonio’s 2019 State Legislative Program for the 86th Texas Legislative Session, which begins January 8, 2019. During the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting on October 10, Government & Public Affairs (GPA) will provide a briefing on proposed amendments to the State Legislative Program for the 86th State Legislative Session.
BACKGROUND
Prior to the start of each regular State Legislative Session, the City of San Antonio identifies policy priorities and the legislative initiatives that it will seek to have addressed by the Legislature. On September 12, the IGR Committee received a briefing on the proposed State Program and provided input on topics including transportation funding and public school finance. Additionally, language was added to address animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Following the committee meeting, an updated version of the Program was presented during a “B” Session City Council meeting on October 3.
The Program approved by the IGR Committee included placeholder language regarding gun safety, pending the Public Safety Council Committee discussion and possible action on this issue. On September 26, the Public Safety Committee received a briefing by the City Attorney’s Office on actions available to cities regarding firearms and gun violence. This briefing included an overview of Governor Abbott’s School & Firearm Safety Action Plan released in May 2018, which includes five potential action items to lessen the illegal and irresponsible use of firearms:
Enhancing Firearm Safety:
• Closing gaps in information reporting for background checks by creating a case management system for Texas judges.
• Encouraging the legislature to study the possibility of creating a “red flag” law to identify persons who are a danger to themselves or others and who either have access to or own firearms.
• Work to make sure that adjudications affecting the right to legally purchase and possess firearms are reported within 48 hours. This 48-hour requirement should also extend to protective orders and family violence convictions.
• Strengthening the Safe Firearm Storage Law.
• Mandatory reporting of lost or stolen guns.
ISSUE:
On September 26, the Public Safety Committee requested further discussion by the IGR Committee on the Governor’s Plan, to consider whether to include components from the plan in the State Legislative Program.
In addition to the five areas listed above, the majority of the Governor’s Plan addresses measures to better protect students and teachers, including funding assistance, measures to make schools safer and preventing threats in advance. It is expected that school districts and statewide education advocacy groups will seek ongoing funding for these school safety measures, with flexibility to allow districts to address their unique needs. As Partners listed in the City’s Legislative Program, the City will have the ability to support advocacy efforts by area school districts on this issue during the legislative session.
ALTERNATIVES:
The IGR Committee could decide not to amend the City’s State Legislative Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends amending the Public Health & Safety endorsement section of the Legislative Program to include support for the measures in the Enhance Firearm Safety section of the Governor’s School & Firearm Safety Action Plan, which are listed above. With IGR committee approval, the legislative agenda will proceed to City Council for consideration and approval on October 18.