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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 166 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-166 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 15, 2022 Page 1 of 2 i i7 Y SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2023 STATE rrn LEGISLATIVE AGENDA The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information regarding the background and adoption process for the 2023 State Legislative Agenda, which involves the Mayor, City Council and City staff. Each year, prior to the beginning of the Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, City staff seeks input from the Mayor, City Council and City departments on proposed state legislative issues that affect the way the City of Fort Worth conducts its business. The Mayor and City Council, City Manager's Office, and City departments submit proposed initiatives that are compiled and reviewed by the Governmental Relations Office. The proposed legislative initiatives are then submitted to the City Council Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) for discussion and review. After review and approval by the LAC, the recommended legislative initiatives are forwarded to the full City Council for adoption in the form of the City's State Legislative Program. The LAC conducted a series of public meetings over the past three months to consider the legislative initiatives submitted by the Mayor, City Council, City Manager's Office and City departments. LAC meetings were conducted on the following dates in 2022: August 16, 2022, September 27, 2022 and October 25, 2022. At the October 25t" meeting, the LAC authorized forwarding the attached draft of the proposed 2023 State Legislative Agenda to the full City Council for consideration and final approval for the 88t" State Legislative Session. Governmental Relations staff provided the LAC with information regarding the background issues and matters that will be big picture drivers for the entire state and issues that will be municipal drivers for local governments in Texas. Historically, the big picture drivers tend to dictate the overall tempo and temperature of how both houses will operate for the balance of the legislative session. Likewise, municipal drivers provide insight into how the legislature will approach matters involving local decisions and local governance by elected officials in Texas. The state legislative approach will vary depending on the level of engagement by local elected officials at the county and municipal levels. Below are the big picture drivers and the municipal drivers: BIG PICTURE SESSION DRIVERS 1. House Speaker's Race 2. Statewide Races — House and Senate Seats 3. State Budget Issues a. $27 billion dollar surplus b. $13.7 billion in the Rainy Day Fund ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-166 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 15, 2022 Page 2 of 2 i i7 Y SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2023 STATE rrn LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 4. State Budget Repayments a. $3.7 billion underpaid for Medicaid b. $3 billion for border security c. Hurricane storm issues d. $4 billion for property tax relief MUNICIPAL DRIVERS 1. Disaster Response Issues (COVID Issues) 2. Economic Issues a. Chapter 313/Chapter 312 b. 380 Agreements 3. Police Reform 4. Land Use/Land Regulation Issues 5. School Safety Issues a. Mental Health b. Guns 6. Property Taxes/Property Appraisals 7. Elections Reform 8. Grid Issues 9. Bond Proposition Issues 10. City Indebtedness/Certificate of Obligations 11. Preemption Issues 12. Short Term Rentals Regulations 13. Limited Local Authority Legislation While the attached pages outline the Proposed City of Fort Worth's 2023 State Legislative Program, it is anticipated that other issues will surface during the months leading into the legislative session and throughout the legislative process. In adopting the City of Fort Worth's 2023 State Legislative Program, the City Council also authorizes and directs the City Manager to distribute copies of the City's State Legislative Program to members of the Texas Legislature, to other cities, and to other interested individuals. A resolution approving the proposed 2023 State Legislative agenda will be included on the November 29, 2022 City Council agenda for final review and approval by the Mayor and City Council. If you have any questions about this information, please contact T.J. Patterson, Jr., Manager of Legislative Affairs, at (817) 392-6168. David Cooke City Manager Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH 2023 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 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 of State Appropriations 1. Funding for training for the law enforcement and fire departments 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 and Fort Worth Campus 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. Funding for mental health services for the homeless 9. Funding for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEEAG) 10. Funding for youth training and youth entrepreneur programs at the local level in an effort to prepare the next generations for financial leadership 11. Funding for developing plans and resources needed for greater broadband connectivity 12. Funding to provide additional protective equipment for the exterior of police vehicles 13. Funding for school resource officers in Texas z SEEK LEGISLATION 1. Seek legislation to amend state law to add three events to the Major Events Reimbursement Program (MERP) A. Bassmaster Classic B. Professional Bull Riders World Finals C. Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup 2. Legislation to request a two-year extension of state law that creates Project Financing Zones for Dickies Arena and the proposed expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center to recover the debt capacity lost during the COIVD-19 Pandemic 3 Support Legislation Support for the Texas Education System 1. Support for funding and expansion of quality early childhood education programs to include prekindergarten partnerships with community based childcare programs 2. Support legislation expanding career pathways for students K- 12 3. Support legislation that improves the Texas education system Support for affordable housing in Texas 1. Support legislation to repeal or allow local waiver of the two mile/same year rule for federal housing tax credits 2. Support legislation that limits foreign housing finance corporations (HFC) from operating in the jurisdiction of another HFC 4 Support for public safety and law enforcement partners 1. Support legislation to address the regulation and enforcement of temporary motor vehicle tags 2. Support legislation to enhance catalytic converter theft prevention and enforcement 3. Support legislation enhancing street car racing enforcement and regulations as added tools for law enforcement 4. Support legislative efforts to address and eliminate human trafficking 5. Support legislation to address and eliminate domestic violence in Texas 6. Support legislation to address the drug overdose crisis in Texas 7. Support legislation for school safety to include funding for school resource officers 5 Support for the military and military installations 1. Support legislation for the creation and development of a burn pit registry in Texas 2. Support legislation that prohibits unmanned aircraft activities that impede or disrupt safe military operations 3. Support legislation to address vertical obstructions, radar interference, drone technology, and emerging technologies that inhibit the operations around military installations 4. Support legislation to address incompatible land use near military installation boundaries, training ranges, operating areas, and flight paths to mitigate against negative long-term impacts 5. Support positive control of unincorporated lands along with tools and resources to buffer development near defense installations, including measures to allow purchasing rights and restrictive easements for non- conservation lands 6. Support legislation to increase meaningful employment and on-going education for veterans and cooperative integration of state, county, and local workforce training, education, and job placement resources 7. Support legislation that enables tools to promote compatible growth around military installations and that protects the voluntary and collaborative participation efforts by municipalities 6 Support for Texas communities 1. Support the repeal of portions of HB 3167, to provide that the governing body may delegate one or more officers or employees of the municipality to approve, deny or conditionally approve plans and to allow for an applicant at their discretion to waive the deadline for a response 2. Support increased municipal land use authority in extra-territorial jurisdiction 3. Support legislation that promotes increased community health and wellness programs 4. Support legislation that promotes strong Texas families 5. Support legislation that will give cities and the state greater authority to address illegal recycling facilities 6. Support legislation to enhance the ability of cities to address the prevention and control of graffiti 7. Support legislation seeking to protect the personal information of animal adopters 8. Support legislation seeking to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, consistent with City ordinances Support for infrastructure needs in Texas 1. Support legislation that modifies state law and promotes developing plans and resources needed for greater broadband connectivity to enhance access to public education, healthcare, employment, news, and information 2. Support legislation to provide flexibility in the expenditure of Public, Education and Government (PEG) funds 3. 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 4. Support legislation that modifies state law to require the full disclosure of any known flood risk information, whether located within or outside of a floodplain, to prevent property purchasers from unknowingly purchasing flood prone properties s IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE DATES Monday, November 14, 2022 First day legislators may file bills for the 88th Legislature Tuesday, January 10, 2023 88th Legislature convenes at 12 Noon (1st day) Wednesday and Thursday, March 22-24, 2023 Tarrant County Days in Austin Monday, May 29, 2023 Last day of the Regular 8811 Regular Legislative Session 9