Backup_JSC_20201119 2A 87th Legislative Agenda — original pdf

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87TH STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer TEXAS LEGISLATURE INCREASINGLY FOCUSED ON CITIES Total Bills Introduced Total Bills Passed City-Related bills introduced City-Related bills passed Year 76th-1999 77th-2001 78th-2003 79th-2005 80th-2007 81st-2009 82nd-2011 83rd-2013 84th-2015 85th – 2017 5,813 5,612 5,633 5,512 6,241 7,464 5,938 5,950 6,476 6,800 1,622 1,601 1,384 1,389 1,481 1,459 1,379 1,437 1,329 1,208 1,230+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,500+ 1,500+ 1,900+ 1,900+ 2,500+ 86th – 2019 7,324 1,429 2,300+ 130+ 150+ 110+ 105+ 120+ 120+ 160+ 220+ 220+ 294 338 • 54 % more City- related bills were passed between 2015 and 2019 • 182 % more City – related bills were passed between 2009 and 2019 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 2 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: IGRO ROLE In the 86th session • 3,970 Bills/JR’s were filed in last 10 business days before filing deadline, March 8th. (54%). • 7,324 bills read and analyzed by IGRO. • Over 2,500 bills were determined by IGRO to affect cities. • 1,296 Bills/JR’s required analysis/action by departments and IGRO. 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 3 POST-ELECTION UPDATE Republicans will control House and Senate in the 87th Session • Senate: 18 Republicans, 13 Democrats Democrats gained 1 seat, Republicans lost supermajority • House: 83 Republicans, 67 Democrats Same as 86thSession Austin / Travis Delegation Held Seats • Including hotly contested seats: Reps. Goodwin, Bucy, Zweiner, & Talarico will all be back TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: STATE LEADERSHIP "I think a broad-based law by the state of Texas that says across the board, the state is going to pre-empt local regulations, is a superior approach“ –Governor Greg Abbott 1 "Our cities are still controlled by Democrats…and where do we have all our problems in America? …in our cities that are mostly controlled by Democrat mayors and Democrat city council… That's where you see street crime.“ -Lt. Governor Dan Patrick 2 1: “Abbott wants "broad-based law" that pre-empts local regulations” Texas Tribune, March 21, 2017 2: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames city governments for "all our problems in America" Texas Tribune, AUG. 4, 2017 ISSUES THAT WILL INFLUENCE THE 87TH SESSION TREND: TONE Politically Charged, Overarching Issues Influencing the 87th session • Electing a new Speaker Rep. Dade Phelan? • Redistricting (Special Session) • School finance • Budget • COVID-19 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 6 87TH AGENDA: LEGISLATURE’S CITY-RELATED PRIORITY ISSUES Super Preemption Police Reform Preemption COVID Preemption Employees’ Rights & Benefits Zoning / Short- Term Rentals No City Lobbying Austin Energy & Austin Water Revenue Caps Part II Annexation Part II: ETJ Regulation 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 7 DEVELOPING THE CITY’S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE  Support legislation that promotes healthy and equitable communities and economic prosperity through the protection and preservation of the region’s air, land, and water and Austin’s natural resources and open spaces, including policies that address the causes of the climate crisis as well as mitigation strategies.  Support legislation that increases the resilience of communities in the face of climate, economic, and/or social shocks and stressors.  Preserve and protect Austin’s current and future water resources and water quality.  Support legislation and funding for local and regional air quality planning, research, and monitoring in areas with air quality issues across the state.  Support legislation that improves access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.  Support legislation and funding that provides Austin students and residents with career pathway opportunities, including work relief programs, job training, and apprenticeship programs. 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 8 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: BILL PRE-FILING Municipally Owned Utilities (Austin Energy) Deregulation: SB 182 (Schwertner) • Would require a yearly rate comparison of one-fifth of municipally owned utilities that do not have “customer choice.” If the 5-year average electric rate paid by customers is 10% higher than other similar areas, then utility must initiate “customer choice” as defined by statute. Wind, Solar, Coal & Nuclear Energy Tax: HB 433 (King, Ken) • Would add 1 cent to every kilowatt hour of energy generated from wind, solar, coal and nuclear generation. Power generated from natural gas would be exempt from the tax. Water Conservation Tax Exemption: HB 186 (Zwiener) • Property tax exemption for the portion of the appraised value of a person ’s property that is attributable to the installation of a rainwater harvesting or gray water system. 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 9 QUESTIONS? Brie L. Franco Intergovernmental Relations Officer Brie.Franco@austintexas.gov https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document. Agenda: cfm?id=347040 11/18/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 10 Thank you 11