Legislative Update

JANUARY 10, 2020, NUMBER 2

TML Legislative Update Number 2 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 2
  • Reminder: Comment Period Open for Sales Tax Rule Changes
  • Texas Water Development Board: Proposed State and Regional Flood Planning Rules

JANUARY 3, 2020, NUMBER 1

TML Legislative Update Number 1 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 1
  • Comptroller Proposes Internet Sales Tax Sourcing Rule Changes

DECEMBER 20, 2019, NUMBER 48

TML Legislative Update Number 48 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 48
  • TML Endorses Passage: New North American Trade Agreement

DECEMBER 13, 2019, NUMBER 47

TML Legislative Update Number 47 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 47
  • Did Your City Receive a Letter from Mayes Middleton?
  • Voluntary Annexation, State Highways, and County Roads: A Legislative Roadblock?
  • Texas Water Development Board: New Flood Financial Assistance Funding Proposed Rules
  • City Officials Seeking Higher Office

December 6, 2019, Number 46

TML Legislative Update Number 46 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 46
  • Appeals Court Strikes Down Portions of Austin's Short Term Rental Ordinance
  • Payday Lending Clearinghouse Updates

NOVEMBER 27, 2019, NUMBER 45

TML Legislative Update Number 45 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 45
  • Texas Speaker of the House Issues Interim Charges
    • Committee on State Affairs
    • Committee on Urban Affairs
    • Committee on Ways and Means
    • Committee on Land and Resource Management
    • Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
    • Committee on Elections
    • Committee on Environmental Regulation
    • Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety
    • Committee on Natural Resources

NOVEMBER 22, 2019, NUMBER 44

TML Legislative Update Number 44 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 44
  • Senate Finance Committee Schedules Interim Hearing on Items of City Interest

NOVEMBER 15, 2019, NUMBER 43

TML Legislative Update Number 43 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 43
  • Broadband Legal Update: FCC and Federal and State Court Proceedings Affect Cities
  • Federal Government Seeks Data Advisory Committee Members

November 8, 2019, NUMBER 42

TML Legislative Update Number 42 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 42
  • State Department of Information Resources: First Round of Cybersecurity Training Providers Approved
  • Lt. Governor Releases Interim Committee Charges
    • State Affairs Committee
    • Business and Commerce
    • Criminal Justice
    • Finance
    • Intergovernmental Relations Committee
    • Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and Water and Rural Affairs Committee (Joint Charges)
    • Transportation
  • AG Green Lights New Loan Products from Payday Lenders
  • Texas Senate's Mass Shooting Committee Meets

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 41 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 41
  • Lt. Governor Asks Senate Committee to Study Silencing TML

OCTOBER 25, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 40 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 40
  • Cities Not Out of the Woods, Not Even Close
  • House Bill 2840 Update: Public Comments

OCTOBER 18, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 39 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 39
  • House Leaders "Hate Cities" and Think Mayors Are "Dumbasses"
  • Opioid Class Action Litigation Update

OctoBER 4, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 38 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 38
  • City-Related Constitutional Amendment Propositions
  • White House Creates Council on Affordable Housing
  • Department of Labor Adopts New Overtime Salary Rules

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 37 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 37
  • Several Resolutions Submitted for Consideration: Get Involved in the TML Legislative Policy Process
  • Cyber Security Training Update
  • Cities Receive Opioid Litigation Opt-Out Forms

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 36 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 36
  • Several Resolutions Submitted for Consideration: Get Involved in the TML Legislative Policy Process
  • Reminder: September 25th Deadline to Submit Tax Rate Calculations to County

SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 35 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 35
  • Several Resolutions Submitted for Consideration: Get Involved in the TML Legislative Policy Process
  • Post Session Update: Open Meetings Act Criminal Penalties

September 6, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 34 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 34
  • Don't Forget: Who Will Represent Your City at the TML Business Meeting at the 2019 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition?!
  • State Leaders Respond to Mass Shootings
  • Cities That Receive Bingo Prize Fees: Action Required to Continue Receiving Fees
  • Post Session Update:  Are You a Temporary Custodian of City Records?
  • Small Cell Lawsuit Amended: Adds Video/Phone Franchise Bill
  • Post Session Update: Personal Liability of City Councilmembers

AUGUST 30, 2019, NUMBER 33

TML Legislative Update Number 33 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 33
  • Bills Become Effective September 1
  • FCC Cable Franchise Order

AUGUST 23, 2019, NUMBER 32

TML Legislative Update Number 32 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 32
  • Cyber Attack on Local Governments
  • AG Opinion Could Affect City Payday Lending Regulations

AUGUST 16, 2019

TML Legislative Update Number 31 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 31
  • Act Now: Who Will Represent Your City at the TML Business Meeting at the 2019 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition?!
    
  • Paid Sick Leave Ordinances
  • Post Session Update:  Procurement Handbook
  • Post Session Update: Cities and Firearms
  • FCC Issues Cable Franchise Order: Another Budget Hit for Some Cities
  • Payday Lending Clearinghouse Updates
  • Resolutions for the 2019 TML Annual Conference

JULY 26, 2019, NUMBER 30

TML Legislative Update Number 30 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 30
  • Act Now: Who Will Represent Your City at the TML Business Meeting at the 2019 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition?!
    
  • Post Session Update:  Building Materials
  • Post Session Update:  H.B. 3167 Development Application
  • Post Session Update:  Reduced Energy Consumption
  • More on Cybersecurity Training: Does Your City Provide In-House Training?
  • Resolutions for the 2019 TML Annual Conference

JULY 19, 2019, NUMBER 29

TML Legislative Update Number 29 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 29
  • Post Session Update:  Public Comment on Agenda Items
  • Post Session Update:  Annexation
  • Post Session Update:  Website Posting Requirements
  • Post Session Update: Cybersecurity Training in the Works
  • FCC Moves Forward with Cable Franchise Fee Order

JULY 12, 2019, NUMBER 28

TML Legislative Update Number 28 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 28
  • The League's Legislative Policy Development Process
  • Act Now: Who Will Represent Your City at the TML Business Meeting at the 2019 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition?!
  • Resolutions for the 2019 TML Annual Conference
  • Post Session Update: Proposed Budget Lobby Expenditure Reporting
  • Post Session Update: City Maps
  • Post Session Update: Flood Mitigation
  • Federal Appeals Court: President's Blocking of Twitter Users Violates First Amendment
  • Briefing Filed in Challenge to FCC Small Cell Order
  • 2019 City Tax and Budget Deadlines Memo Now Available

JUly 5, 2019, NUMBER 27

TML Legislative Update Number 27 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 27
  • Post Session Update: Emergency Management Resources Now Available
  • 2019 City Tax and Budget Deadlines Memo Now Available

June 28, 2019, Number 26

TML Legislative Update Number 26 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 26
  • Post Session Update: Dogs on Restaurants Patios
  • 2019 City Tax and Budget Deadlines Memo Now Available

JUNE 21, 2019, NUMBER 25

TML Legislative Update Number 25 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 25
  • Governor’s Vetoes Include City-Related Bills
  • Post Session Update: Franchise Fee Elimination Bill Lawsuit
  • Post Session Update: State Budget
  • 2019 City Tax and Budget Deadlines Memo Now Available

JUNE 14, 2019, NUMBER 24

TML Legislative Update Number 24 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 24
  • More to Come: "Post Session Updates"
  • Post Session Update: Governor Continues Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
  • Post Session Update: Property Tax Reform
  • Post Session Update: Contracts Disclosure
  • 2019 City Tax and Budget Deadlines Memo Now Available

JUNE 7, 2019, NUMBER 23

TML Legislative Update Number 23 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 23
  • Eighty-Sixth Legislature Adjourns: Cities Roll with the Punches
  • City-Related Bills Passed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

MAY 31, 2019, NUMBER 22

TML Legislative Update Number 22 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 22
  • Look for Legislative Update "Wrap-Up" Edition Next Week
  • Texas Board of Plumbing Examiners and the Plumbing License Law in Limbo
  • More on Residential Building Permit Fees
  • NLC Hails Tax-Exempt Bonds at Infrastructure Week

MAY 24, 2019, NUMBER 21

TML Legislative Update Number 21 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 21
  • Action Required: Building Permit Fees

MAY 17, 2019, NUMBER 20

TML Legislative Update Number 20 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 20
  • The Last 10 Days of the Legislative Session
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify

MAY 10, 2019, NUMBER 19

TML Legislative Update Number 19 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 19
  • The Final Stretch: Where We Stand in the Legislative Session
  • Legislature Passes Annexation Reform: Still a Tiny Window Left
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Utilities and Environment

May 3, 2019, NUMBER 18

TML Legislative Update Number 18 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 18
  • Revenue Cap Bill Passes House at 3.5 Percent: Negotiations to Come...
  • Federal Court Preliminarily Enjoins Texas Law Prohibiting Boycott of Israel
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify

APRIL 26, 2019, NUMBER 17

TML Legislative Update Number 17 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 17
  • Revenue Cap Bill Passes Senate at 3.5 Percent, House Committee Follows Suit
  • Giant Phone and Cable Companies Don't Need Taxpayer Subsidies
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Utilities and Environment

APRIL 19, 2019, NUMBER 16

TML Legislative Update Number 16 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 16
  • Cities Under Siege: You Must Act Now

APRIL 12, 2019, NUMBER 15

TML Legislative Update Number 15 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 15
  • Revenue Cap Bills Stumble
  • Super-Preemption Bills on the Move
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax

APRIL 5, 2019, NUMBER 14

TML Legislative Update Number 14 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 14
  • Property Tax Relief Bill Is Not the One You Think
  • Prepare Your City for Next Year's Census
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Elections
    • Municipal Courts
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety

MARCH 29, 2019, NUMBER 13

TML Legislative Update Number 13 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 13
  • Detrimental Bills (and Their Companions) on the Move
  • Department of Labor Proposes New Overtime Salary Rules
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Personnel
    • Utilities and Environment

March 22, 2019, Number 12

TML Legislative Update Number 12 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 12
  • San Antonio Mayor Speaks up for Cities on Capitol Hill
  • Significant Floor Actions
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

MARCH 15, 2019, NUMBER 11

TML Legislative Update Number 11 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 11
  • Bill Filing Deadline Comes and Goes and Legislative Committees Ramp up Their Work
  • Legislators Seek to Cut Right-of-Way Compensation in Half: Testimony Needed Next Week
  • Senate Committee Votes Out Unconstitutional Eminent Domain Bill
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • TCEQ: Free Phase II Workshops
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

MARCH 8, 2019, NUMBER 10

TML Legislative Update Number 10 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 10
  • A Message from TML President John B. Love, III
  • TCEQ Renews Phase II Stormwater Permit
  • Update: Waters of the U.S. Rule
  • Significant Committee Actions
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

MARCH 1, 2019, NUMBER 9

TML Legislative Update Number 9 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 9
  • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: Open Meetings Act Criminal Conspiracy Provision Unconstitutional
  • Revenue Cap Bill Heard in House Committee
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

FEBRUARY 22, 2019, NUMBER 8

TML Legislative Update Number 8 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 8
  • Revenue Cap Bills: Keep the Pressure On 
  • TML President-Elect Advocates for Infrastructure in Washington D.C. 
  • Federal Government Releases Rural Broadband Report 
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

FEBRUARY 15, 2019, NUMBER 7

TML Legislative Update Number 7 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 7
  • Revenue Caps: No Longer Divided We Fall
  • TML President Briefs House Committee
  • Significant Committee Actions 
  • Update: Waters of the U.S. Rule
  • Payday Lending Clearinghouse Updates
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City Officials Testify
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

FEBRUARY 8, 2019, NUMBER 6

TML Legislative Update Number 6 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 6
  • Make Your Case to the Voters? Sure, If You Like Sitting in Jail...
  • Unsurprising Hearing on Property Tax Reform
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

FEBRUARY 1, 2019, NUMBER 5

TML Legislative Update Number 5 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 5
  • State Leaders Release Property Tax Reform Plan: Interested City Officials Should Engage Now
  • 2.5 Revenue Cap is Really a Salary Cap for Police and Firefighters
  • Report: Governor's Committee to Support the Military
  • Interim Report: House Committee on County Affairs
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

JANUARY 25, 2019, NUMBER 4

TML Legislative Update Number 4 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 4
  • Pulled the Trigger Too Soon? Still Looking for Certainty about Guns in Courthouses
  • Lt. Governor and Speaker Name Senate Committees
  • Good Small Cell Bill Introduced in Congress
  • Interim Report: House Committee on Government Transparency and Operations
  • Interim Report: House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs
  • Interim Report: House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics
  • Don't Forget: Mandatory Hotel Occupancy Tax Reporting
  • Don't Forget: Mandatory Eminent Domain Reporting
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

JANUARY 18, 2019, NUMBER 3

TML Legislative Update Number 3 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 3
  • Draft House and Senate Education Budgets Could Relieve Pressure on Property Taxes
  • A Property Tax Myth, Revisited
  • Small Cell Lawsuit Update
  • Interim Report: House Committee on Pensions
  • Don't Forget: Mandatory Hotel Occupancy Tax Reporting
  • Don't Forget: Mandatory Eminent Domain Reporting
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

JANUARY 11, 2019, NUMBER 2

TML Legislative Update Number 2 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 2
  • Governor Links School Finance Reform to Property Tax Reform, and That's a Good Thing
  • Representative Dennis Bonnen Elected to Speaker of the House
  • Comptroller Releases 2020-2021 Biennial Revenue Estimate
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment

JANUARY 4, 2019, NUMBER 1

TML Legislative Update Number 1 (PDF)

• TML Legislative Update 1
  • EPA Proposes New "Waters of the U.S." Rule
  • Interim Report: Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee
  • State Infrastructure Bank Transportation Project Loans
  • Get Involved: TML Grass-Roots Involvement Program
  • City-Related Bills Filed
    • Property Tax
    • Sales Tax
    • Purchasing
    • Elections
    • Open Government
    • Other Finance and Administration
    • Municipal Courts
    • Community and Economic Development
    • Personnel
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Utilities and Environment