DEPARTMENT: Government and Public Affairs
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jeff Coyle
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
State Legislative Program for the 86th Texas Legislative Session
SUMMARY:
This ordinance approves the City of San Antonio’s 2019 State Legislative Program for the 86th Texas Legislative Session, which begins January 8, 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Legislature meets every two years in odd-numbered years. The 86th Texas Legislative Session begins on January 8, 2019.
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 incorporated into a City of San Antonio State Legislative Program. In May 2018, 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, City Management, City Council and others to determine which issues would be included in the draft of the City’s proposed State Program.
An initial draft was presented to the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Council Committee on September 12, and several edits were made at the Committee’s request. The full City Council was briefed during “B” Session on October 3. On October 10, the IGR Committee considered a request by the Council’s Public Safety Committee and amended the program to include support for the measures in the Enhance Firearm Safety section of the Governor’s School & Firearm Safety Action Plan.
The City’s 86th 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 decision-making
• Military protection
• Economic growth
• Transportation funding
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. The program includes one initiative that proposes legislation to allow code enforcement officers, when performing official duties, to carry an instrument used for deterring the bite of an animal.
Endorsements: An Endorsement is an issue 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. Endorsements are listed under the following categories:
• Public Health & Safety
• Affordable Housing
• Education
• Aviation
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, including bills that meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Undermine the principles of self-government;
• Mandate increased cost to cities, including environmental mandates;
• Result in the loss of revenue to cities or negatively impacts the authority of the City to generate revenues; and
• Result in diminishing the fundamental authority of cities to operate in a manner consistent with the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
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.
ISSUE:
The 86th Regular State Legislative Session will begin on January 8, 2019. 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 86th Session.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City departments must analyze filed legislation to determine fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the City’s 2019 State Legislative Program.