DEPARTMENT: Government & Public Affairs
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jeff Coyle
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2017 State Legislative Program for the 85th Texas Legislative Session
SUMMARY:
This item is a briefing and action approving the City of San Antonio’s 2017 State Legislative Program for the 85th Texas Legislative Session, which begins January 10, 2017.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Legislature meets every two years in odd numbered years. The 85th Texas Legislative Session begins on January 10, 2017.
Prior to the convening of each regular Texas Legislative Session, the City of San Antonio identifies policy priorities and legislative initiatives that it would like to have addressed by the Legislature. These priorities and initiatives are codified in a City of San Antonio State Legislative Program. In May 2016, the City’s Government & Public Affairs (GPA) Department began the process of identifying the issues for the upcoming session. Staff worked with City departments, community partners, elected officials, and others to determine which issues would be included in the draft of the City’s proposed State Program. An initial draft will be presented to the Intergovernmental Relations Council Sub Committee on August 16, 2016. The draft State Program will then be further refined in collaboration with City partners, leadership, and elected officials.
The City’s 85th legislative program is organized into the following categories:
Priorities: Issues that have a significant city-wide impact and/or promote or protect the interest of the community.
Initiatives: These are City-specific issues that will require the City to seek introduction and passage of legislation.
Endorsements: Rather than serving as the primary advocate for these issues, the City will collaborate with other interested parties and communicate its support, especially for those issues that have a direct impact on or benefit to the City.
Protection of Municipal Interests: Omnibus language expresses general support for legislation that is clearly beneficial to the City and opposition to legislation that is harmful to the City’s interests in the areas of self-government, unfunded mandates, loss of revenues, erosion of municipal authority and other areas. This allows staff the flexibility to react in the City’s best interest to unexpected challenges or opportunities identified in the more than 6,000 bills filed each session.
Partnerships: The City will coordinate with local partners in support of their legislative agendas that enhance the health, safety and vitality of the community, provided it does not conflict with the City’s own legislative agenda.
ISSUE:
The 85th Regular State Legislative Session will begin on January 10, 2017. The State Legislative Program guides and focuses City’s legislative efforts and aligns with City Council priorities.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to adopt a state legislative program and react to legislation as it is filed. This would be inconsistent with previous public policy set by City Council and limit the positive outcomes during the 85th Session.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City departments must analyze filed legislation to determine fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the City’s 2017 State Legislative Program.