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 Texa...
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