DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jeff Coyle
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Amendment to the 2019 State Legislative Program
SUMMARY:
Briefing and Ordinance amending the City of San Antonio’s 2019 State Legislative Program for the 86th Texas Legislative Session.
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. City Council approved the 2019 State Legislative Program on November 15, 2018, through Ordinance Number 2018-11-15-0917. On November 28, the San Antonio Fire & Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees approved legislative initiatives for the 86th Texas Legislative Session. These initiatives support substantive and non-substantive revisions to the state statute governing the San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund that advance the City’s policy of maintaining a fiscally responsible outlook for public safety pensions and supports public safety personnel.
The proposed amendments to the City’s State Legislative Program include an endorsement of the Pension Fund Board’s legislative initiatives as adopted on November 28 and a statement of the City’s position in regards to other proposed changes to pension law.
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. As additional issues are identified which support City Council policies, amendments to the City’s Legislative Program are required to authorize staff to support those policies.
The legislative initiatives being pursued by the Pension Fund include both non-substantive and substantive revisions to Article 6243o, Revised Texas Statutes, the statute that establishes and governs the operations of the San Antonio Fire & Police Pension Fund. The proposed changes are cost neutral from an actuarial standpoint and are not expected to impact the actuarial stability of the Fund. Some changes are designed to align with Federal law while others would make minor updates to items such as the process for proving the eligibility of a dependent child and how disability benefits are governed. The Intergovernmental Relations Council Committee is scheduled to consider this amendment on December 12, 2018, prior to full City Council consideration.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to adopt the amendment to the City’s Legislative Program and proceed with the issues identified in the program adopted by Council on November 15, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the proposed amendment; however, City staff will analyze filed legislation to determine any fiscal impact to the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the amendment to the City’s 2019 State Legislative Program.