HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2578A Resolution
No.~~ 7 8
URGING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR A CIVIL HEARING AND
ADJUDICATION PROCESS IN THE PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
VIOLATIONS OF LOCAL BUILDING, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES
WHEREAS, in cities across Texas the need to enforce building health and safety
codes is a necessity in order to insure the health and safety of citizens and
WHEREAS, cities attempt to enforce local ordinances through an enforcement
process which includes citing persons for violations of local ordinances and codes and
WHEREAS, m enforcing local building health and safety codes municipalities are
only allowed under current state law to enforce these as criminal prosecutions and
WHEREAS, criminal prosecutions are difficult to uphold especially in the case of
absentee landlords where an actor can not be physically identified and
WHEREAS, the 76th Texas Legislature considered but failed to adopt legislation
that would have established a civil hearing and adjudication process in lieu of a criminal
prosecution process for cities to handle code enforcement violations and
WHEREAS, a civil hearing and adjudication process will provide cities with an
ability to compel irresponsible owners to bring their properties m compliance with local
ordinances and passage of state law allowing for such a process is needed
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH,
That the City of Fort Worth urges
legislation providing cities with the ability
process in the prosecution and enforcement
safety codes
Adopted this 28th day of September 1999
that the Texas Municipal League support
to adopt a civil hearing and adjudication
of violations of local building health and
APPRQ~E®
CITY CC~~CIL
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