Status of Bills Attacking Local Control

Big Government Index Status of bills attacking local control

Updated June 1, 2015

There will be no vote taken in the Texas Legislature on “local control.” But votes will be taken on dozens of bills that would chip away, issue by issue, at the ability of communities to solve their own problems in their own way.

Each week, TML will update the status of these big government bills that would consolidate power at the state level and overrule local decision making.

Limits city regulation of oil and gas drilling.

Cities can’t regulate the temperature of raw milk products.

Cities can’t adopt any regulation that would interfere with the right to produce agricultural products.

Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

Limits what a police officer can do when inquiring about nationality or immigration status.

Any officer attempting to enforce certain federal laws commits a crime punishable by fine and jail time.

Cities can’t adopt regulations on electric stun guns, knives or personal defense sprays.

Cities can’t adopt regulations prohibiting the refusal to lease property because of source of income. 

Cities can’t prohibit use of propane tanks on residential property.

Cities can’t adopt regulations related to knives.

Cities can’t prohibit open carry of guns on city-owned or city-leased property.

Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

Cities can’t hire lobbyists.

Cities can’t enforce certain ordinances on tree removal.

Cities can’t adopt ordinances that create a protected class or prohibit discrimination on a basis not contained in state laws.

Cities can’t enforce any federal law that the Legislature finds is in violation of the state constitution.

Cities must regulate short-term rental units like commercial lodging establishments.

Cities can’t prohibit any practice that is not unlawful under state law.

Cities can’t adopt plastic bag ordinances.

Officers can’t take DNA, skin samples, blood samples, etc. unless there is specific, explicit state statutory authority or the person gives written consent.

Cities can’t put “duty to defend” in a contract with architects and engineers if there is indemnification.

Police officer commits a crime if officer seizes a firearm under federal laws if there is no state law allowing it, with certain exceptions.

Railroad Commission can prevent a city from enforcing an ordinance that conflicts with commission regulations.

Constitutional amendment - cities can’t burden in any way the exercise of religion unless there is a compelling governmental interest and it is the least restrictive means.

Cities can’t adopt a policy, rule or order that prohibits the enforcement of state or federal laws related to immigration.

Cities can’t prohibit, require, discourage or encourage a bidder on a public project from entering into or adhering to a collective bargaining agreement.

Cities can’t adopt any regulations that aren’t expressly authorized by state law.

Cities can’t enforce any federal firearms laws that are not also state laws.

Cities can’t prohibit fracking.

Cities can’t enter into agreements, contracts, accept money from or grant money to any organization accredited by the United Nations to implement policy that originated in Agenda 21.

Police officers can’t use stun guns or tasers to subdue students at school or school activities unless the student has a weapon.

Cities can’t use cameras for traffic light enforcement.

Cities can't enforce ordinances that conflict with or is inconsistent with requirements specified by TCEQ. 

Cities can't enforce a smoking ordinance on a business that gets 20% of its revenue from cigars or tobacco.

Cities can’t adopt licensing that is more stringent or inconsistent with state law. 

Cities can’t prohibit first responders from carrying concealed handgun while on duty. 

Cities can't regulate small honey production operations.

Cities can’t take adverse action against a person based on that person’s sincerely held religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.

Cities can't enforce ordinances and charter provisions that conflict with state law.

Cities can't enforce any regulation relating to any aspect, facility or phase of the pipeline industry.

Cities can't regulate anything within jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission. 

Cities can't regulate business activities of a state license without express authority under state law. 

Preempts cities from adopting construction standards for RV parks and campgrounds.

Cities can’t penalized or withhold benefits including tax exemptions, government contracts, grants or licenses from organizations or people because they have religious belief that a marriage is between one man and one woman.

Cities can't require licensing for occupations unless expressly authorized by state. 

Cities can’t prohibit gun shows in facilities owned by them. 

Cities can’t provide water or electric service to a federal data collection and surveillance agency. 

Cities can't regulate firearms. 

Cities can't adopt ordinances, rules and regulations of a city relating to employment. 

Cites can’t adopt rule, order or policy that prohibits enforcement on federal immigration law. 

Relates to city regulation of oil and gas drilling, and represents a compromise agreement.