July 28, 2023, Number 30


Download the full .pdf version here: TML Legislative Update Number 30


mandated cybersecurity training due august 31

Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191 mandates cybersecurity training for city employees, elected officials, and appointed officials who have access to a local government computer system or database and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties. 

The training must be certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). Cities must certify their compliance by August 31, 2023 by using the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments form.

The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) has three DIR-certified options available free of charge. TMLIRP’s free cybersecurity training program can be assessed here. Other DIR-certified training programs are listed on the agency’s website. 

DIR has developed an optional tool, Texas by Texas (TxT), for cities to track compliance of individual employees and officials training compliance. For any city using TxT, employees will report their training completion and DIR will send reporting from the TxT application to each city to verify compliance. Interested cities must submit the Texas by Texas Self Reporting Form. 

More information on training requirements can be found here.


hhsc proposes rules on ems reimbursement rates and procedures

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is proposing a rule under Chapter 531 of the Texas Government Code and Chapter 40 of the Texas Human Resources Code related to reimbursement for Medicaid-recipient ambulance services. The proposed rule establishes new definitions regarding reimbursement-eligible service and adds new reimbursement criteria and claim documentation requirements. HHSC estimates that cities may incur additional costs from these rules for: (1) administering on-scene and telehealth treatment; and (2) potential changes to ambulance-provider business practices and increased staffing or training.  

Cities wishing to submit written comments about this rule may submit their comments to HHSC Provider Finance Department, Mail Code H-400, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, or by email to pfd-ltss@hhs.texas.gov. All submitted comments should reference “Comments on Proposed Rule 23R039.”

All comments must be submitted by no later than August 10, 2023.


don't forget: resolutions for the 2023 tml annual conference

Resolutions for consideration at the Annual Conference are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2023. The TML Constitution provides that resolutions must be submitted by any member city, TML region, or TML affiliate to the TML headquarters 45 calendar days prior to the first day of the Annual Conference. 

The TML Board of Directors has adopted several procedures governing the resolutions process. Please review the following items carefully and thoroughly.

  1. No resolution may be considered at the annual TML business meeting unless it has prior approval of: (a) the governing body of a TML member city; (b) the governing body or membership of a TML affiliate, or (c) the membership of a TML region at a regional meeting.
  2. TML member cities, regions, and affiliates that wish to submit a resolution must complete a resolution cover sheet. The cover sheet is available here. 
  3. It is recommended that any resolution state one of four categories to better direct League staff.  Those categories are:
    • Seek Introduction and Passage means that the League will attempt to find a sponsor, will provide testimony, and will otherwise actively pursue passage. Bills in this category are known as “TML bills.”  
    • Support means the League will attempt to obtain passage of the initiative if it is introduced by a city or some other entity. 
    • Oppose.
    • Take No Position.
  4. Resolutions submitted will be thoroughly discussed at the TML Annual Conference. Each city is asked to provide one delegate to serve as its liaison at the annual business meeting at which resolutions will be considered. The delegate isn’t required to have any special expertise, and an elected official representative is encouraged but not required. The delegate must sign up electronically here prior to the meeting or can sign up in person at a table outside of the meeting room. Cities are encouraged to sign up their delegate early.   
  5. The city, region, or affiliate that submits a resolution is encouraged to send a representative to the business meeting to explain the resolution. The business meeting will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. 

If your city is interested in submitting a resolution, details can be found here. Resolutions can be emailed to JJ Rocha, TML Grassroots and Legislative Services Manager, at jj@tml.org. 

Interested city officials can learn how the resolutions process fits within the League’s Legislative Policy Process here.


federal infrastructure bill update

In November 2021, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. The IIJA is altogether a $1.2 trillion bill that will invest in the nation’s core infrastructure priorities including roads, bridges, rail, transit, airports, ports, energy transmission, water systems, and broadband.

The League will monitor state and federal agencies and work with the National League of Cities (NLC) to access the latest information relating to the IIJA. We will provide periodic updates in the Legislative Update on resources for Texas cities on how to access IIJA funding for local infrastructure projects. 

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

The USDOT is accepting applications for over $7 billion in grant funding through its Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program. The PROTECT program, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, seeks to fund projects designed to ensure surface transportation resilience to natural hazards, such as climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. The PROTECT program will provide discretionary planning and Competitive Resilience Improvement Grants for surface transportation planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coast infrastructure improvements. PROTECT grants may be awarded for transit, roadway, maritime, and bicycle and pedestrian-related projects. Funding-eligible activities include planning, construction, operations and maintenance, technology demonstrations and deployment, climate and sustainability, accessibility, and security.

The PROTECT program is open to state and local governments, federally recognized Tribal groups, and governmental planning and project organizations.

City officials can find more information about the PROTECT program, eligibility, and the application process here and here.

PROTECT program applications must be submitted by 10:59 pm CDT on August 18, 2023.


disclaimer

TML member cities may use the material herein for any purpose. No other person or entity may reproduce, duplicate, or distribute any part of this document without the written authorization of the Texas Municipal League.