HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5025-12-2018A Resolution
NO. 5025-12-2018
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S
2019 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 8, 2019, and
pre -filing of legislative bills began November 12, 2018; and
WHEREAS, each biennium, prior to the beginning of the regular session of the Texas
Legislature, staff seeks input from the Mayor and Council, the City Manager's Office, City staff, and
members of the Legislative delegation representing the City regarding legislative issues that affect the
City and the way in which it conducts its business; and
WHEREAS, based on the input received, proposed legislative initiatives are then taken to the
City Council's Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for discussion and analysis; and
WHEREAS, the attached City of Fort Worth 2019 State Legislative Program represents the
recommended initiatives forwarded to City Council by the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Committee following its review of recommended initiatives and its vote on November 13, 2018; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the 2019 legislative
session and these will be brought before City Council at a later time; and
WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2019 State Legislative Program, staff will distribute
the program to members of the local state delegation, departments, and agencies and to major cities in
the state and to others on request in furtherance of the 2019 State Legislative Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
The 2019 State Legislative Program as outlined in the attached document is hereby adopted; and
2. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to distribute copies of the City's 2019 State
Legislative program to members of the Texas Legislature, other cities, and other interested parties; and
3. The appropriate City officials are authorized and directed to send letters of support or to meet
with legislators or state officials to discuss the City's position on the attached initiatives; and
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4. The City's Government Relations staff and the City's state legislative consultants are authorized
and directed to take the appropriate actions to advance the 2019 State Legislative Program before the
Texas Legislature, the Administration, and corresponding state agencies.
ADOPTED this l 11h day of December 2018.
ATTEST:
By: _
Mary ayser, i c
t..
ORT WOR�TI
T
FORT WORTH
2019 PROPOSED STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
GENERAL LEGISLATIVE POLICY
As a general policy, the City of Fort Worth seeks to Preserve its authority
to responsibly govern the city, its citizens, and its property.
The City Supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City's
Comprehensive Plan or the City's Strategic Goals; or that improves the
health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that reduces the cost of
governing the City.
In addition, the City will Oppose any legislation viewed as detrimentalto
its Comprehensive Plan or its Strategic Goals; or that is contrary to the
health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates increased costs
or decreased revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority
of the City.
STATE APPROPRIATIONS
Support of State Appropriations
1. Funding for Training for the Law Enforcement and Fire
2. Funding to Support Institutions of Higher Education including
Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, University of North Texas
Health Science Center and Texas A&M Law School
3. Funding to the City of Fort Worth and the UNT Health Science
Center for the Economic Development and Technology
Commercialization Partnership
4. Funding for Transportation
5. Funding for the Local Parks Grant Program
6. Funding for Library Resource Sharing
7. Funding for Housing Retention and Supportive Services for the
Homeless
8. Mental Health Services for Homelessness
9. Support initiatives to fund Youth training and Youth entrepreneur
programs at the local level in an effort to prepare the next
generations for financial leadership
10. Funding for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant
Program (DEEAG)
SEEK LEGISLATION
1. Lake Worth Direct Sales Legislation to Amend Section
272.001(h) of the Local Government Code to increase the
population cap from 825,000 to 1,500,000
SUPPORT LEGISLATION
Support for the Texas Education System
1. Support expanding the Texas Rising Star (TRS) Quality Rating and
Improvement System (QRIS) to enable open participation by all
licensed child care programs
2. Support significant investments Texas families make in child care
by introducing a single Texas consumer website and app for parent
3. Support for Governor Abbott's funding support and expansion of
available pre -kindergarten programs throughout the state of Texas
4. Support legislation that improves the Texas Education System
Support for Public Safety
1. Support legislative efforts to address and eliminate Human
Trafficking
2. Support legislation to address and eliminate domestic violence in
Texas
3. Support the creation of a statewide minimum humane standard for
the tethering of a dog and allow law enforcement officers an
efficient method to carry out the law
Support for the Military and Military Installations
1. Airspace Compatibility: Support legislation to address vertical
obstructions, radar interference, drone technology and emerging
technologies that inhibit the operations around military installations
2. Land Use / Ground Compatibility: Support legislation to address
Incompatible land use near installation boundaries, training ranges,
operating areas, flight paths can have long-term impacts
3. Encroachment Mitigation: Support positive control of unincorporated
lands along with tools and resources to buffer development near defense
installations. Measures to allow purchasing rights and restrictive
easements for non -conservation lands
4. Increase Veterans Benefits: Support Legislation to increase meaningful
employment, on-going education for veterans and cooperative integration
of state, county, and local workforce training, education, and job
placement resources
5. Compatible Growth: Support legislation that enables tools to promote
Compatible Growth around Military Installations: Protecting the
voluntary participation coordinated efforts by municipalities
Support for Texas Communities
1. Support increased municipal land use authority in Extra-
territorial Jurisdictions
2. Support legislation that promotes increased Community Health
and Wellness Programs
3. Support legislation that promotes Healthy Work Environments
and Places
4. Support legislation that will give Cities and the State greater
authority to address Illegal Recycling Facilities
5. Support legislation to enhance the ability of Cities to address the
Prevention and Control of Graffiti
6. Support legislation seeking to protect the personal information of
animal adopters
7. Support legislation for Constitutional dedication of Sporting
Goods' Sales Tax Revenue for State and Local Parks
8. Support legislation seeking to prohibit discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or gender
expression, consistent with City ordinances
IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE DATES
Monday. November 12.2018
First day legislators may file bills for the 86th Legislature
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
86th Legislature convenes at 12 Noon (1 st day)
Wednesday and Thursday. March 6-7.2019
Tarrant County Days in Austin
Monday. Ma327, 2019
Last day of the Regular 86th Legislative Session