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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5658-11-2022 A Resolution NO. 5658-11-2022 ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2023 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 10, 2023, and pre-filing of legislative bills began on November 14,2022; 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 Affairs Committee for discussion and analysis; and WHEREAS, the attached City of Fort Worth 2023 State Legislative Program represents, with one addition, the recommended initiatives forwarded to City Council by the Legislative Affairs Committee following its review of recommended initiatives and its vote on October 25, 2022; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the 2023 Legislative Session and these will be brought before City Council at a later time; and WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2023 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 2023 State Legislative Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT: 1. The 2023 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 2023 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 2023 State Legislative Program before the Texas Legislature,the Administration, and corresponding state agencies. Adopted this 29th day of November 2022. ATTEST: V O� By' ette S.Goodall(Dec 1,2022 08: ST) Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary '�' FORTWORTH 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 14. The City supports funding that allows continued recovery and growth for small businesses 15. Funding that incentivizes or benefits film and TV projects in the City of Fort Worth 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 Support for legislation that incentivizes or benefits film and TV projects in the City of Fort Worth 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 8 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 88' Regular Legislative Session 9