HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/11/17-Attachments-RESOLUTION - 2021 State Legislative ProgramA Resolution
NO.
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S
2021 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 12, 2021, and
pre -filing of legislative bills began November 9, 2020; 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 2021 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 September 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the 2021 legislative
session and these will be brought before City Council at a later time; and
WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2021 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 2021 State Legislative Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
The 2021 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 2021 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
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 2021 State Legislative Program before the
Texas Legislature, the Administration, and corresponding state agencies.
Adopted this day of
ATTEST:
By:
Mary Kayser, City Secretary
2020.
FORT WORTH
2021 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
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 detrimental to
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.
1
STATE APPROPRIATIONS
Support State Appropriations
1. 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.
2. Funding for Training for the Law Enforcement and Fire
3. 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
4. Funding for Transportation
5. Funding for the Local Parks Grant Program
6. Funding for Library Resource Sharing
7. Continued Funding for Defense Economic Adjustment
Assistance Grant Program
8. Funding for Housing Retention and Supportive Services
for the Homeless
9. Mental Health Services for Homelessness
10. Funding to the City of Fort Worth and the UNT Health
Science Center for the Economic Development and
Technology Commercialization Partnership
2
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 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
4
by municipalities
Support for Texas Communities
1. Support the repeal of portions of HB 3167, to provide that the
governing body may delegate to one or more officers or
employees of the municipality to approve, deny or conditional
approve plans and to allow for an applicant at their discretion to
waive the deadline for a response
2. Support legislation and appropriations that implement and
adequately fund the Texas State Water Plan to meet the water
supply needs associated with future population growth and the
economic development of our region and this State
3. Support legislation that modifies state law to require the full
disclosure of any known flood risk information for properties
located outside of a floodplain to prevent property purchasers
from unknowingly purchasing flood prone properties
4. Support legislation that modifies state law to developing plans
and resources needed for greater broad band connectivity to
enhance access to public education, healthcare, employment,
news, and information
5. Support legislation that continues to prohibit discrimination on
the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, disability, age,
national origin, or familial status, and that seeks to also prohibit
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, transgender,
gender identity or gender expression, consistent with City
ordinances
6. Support increased municipal land use authority in Extra-
territorial Jurisdictions
7. Support legislation that promotes increased Community Health
and Wellness Programs
8. Support legislation that promotes Healthy Work Environments
and Places
9. Support legislation that will give Cities and the State greater
authority to address Illegal Recycling Facilities
10. Support legislation to enhance the ability of Cities to address
the Prevention and Control of Graffiti
5
11. Support legislation seeking to protect the personal information
of animal adopters
12. Support legislation for Constitutional dedication of Sporting
Goods' Sales Tax Revenue for State and Local Parks
0
IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE DATES
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
General election for federal, state, and county officers
Monday, November 9, 2020
First day legislators may file bills for the 87th Legislature
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
87th Legislature convenes at 12 Noon (1 st day)
Tuesday -Wednesday, February 23-24, 2021
Tarrant County Days (Virtual Event)
Monday, May 31, 2021
Sine Die