City of San Antonio - File #: 18-5227

• File #: 18-5227
• Type: Staff Briefing - Without Ordinance
• In control: Intergovernmental Relations Committee
• On agenda: 9/12/2018
• Posting Language: State Legislative Program for the 86th State Legislative Session [Jeff Coyle, Director, Government & Public Affairs]

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO:                                          Intergovernmental Relations Council Committee

FROM:                                          Jeff Coyle, Director of Government & Public Affairs

SUBJECT:                     State Legislative Program for the 86^th State Legislative Session 

DATE:                                           September 7, 2018

During the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting on September 12, Government & Public Affairs (GPA) will provide a briefing on the proposed State Legislative Program for the 86^th State Legislative Session.

GPA has tracked interim charges and Senate and House committee hearings held since the end of the 85^th Legislative Session and in May 2018 began the process of identifying issues for the upcoming session.  The Texas Legislature meets every two years in odd numbered years; the 86^th Legislative Session begins on January 8, 2019. Prior to the start of each regular Session, the City of San Antonio identifies policy priorities and the legislative initiatives that it will seek to have addressed by the Legislature.

The priorities and initiatives included in the proposed State Legislative Program are developed with the input of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, City departments and community partners and codified in the City of San Antonio State Legislative Program. The City’s 86^th 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.  The following priorities were discussed at the August IGR Committee meeting:   

•                     Property tax relief

•                     Municipally owned utilities

•                     Local authority

•                     Military protection

•                     Economic growth

Initiatives:  Issues the City will actively support through the drafting of legislation, finding a bill sponsor, filing, providing testimony and active pursuit of the bill’s passage. 

Endorsements: Issues in which the City will not be the primary advocate but will collaborate with other interested parties and communicate its support for legislation that has a direct impact on or benefit to the City. 

Protection of Community Interests: Omnibus language which expresses general support for legislation that is clearly beneficial to the City and opposition to legislation that is detrimental to the City’s interests in the areas of self-government, unfunded mandates, loss of revenues, erosion of municipal authority and other areas.

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.

The legislative agenda is designed to be strategic and impactful, align with the priorities of San Antonio residents, preserve the authority of those elected to represent them to make decisions that are in the best interests of their constituents, protect the ability to generate the revenue necessary to provide critical public safety, infrastructure and other services and/or promotes the efficient governance and delivery of services. 

With IGR committee approval, GPA will proceed to a formal City Council “B” session briefing on October 3^rd.  After further refinement, City Council will consider final approval October 18^th.