HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2020-R0422 - Legislative Package, 87th Legislature and 117th US CongressResolution No. 2020-RO422
Item No. 8.3
December 1, 2020
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
THAT the City Council of the City of Lubbock hereby adopts a Legislative Package
for the 87' Texas Legislative Session and 117`h United States Congress for the purpose of
defining the position of the City of Lubbock on State and Federal Legislative issues,
respectively. Said Legislative Package is attached hereto and incorporated in this
resolution as if fully set forth herein and shall be included in the minutes of City Council.
Passed by the City Council this 1 st day of December 2020.
DANIEL M. POPE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Reb ca Garza, City SeVeOary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
W. Jar�tt Atkinson, City Manager
APPROVED
Ccdocs/Res.Legislative Package — COL position on State and Federal legislative issues
November 20, 2020
Resolution No. 2020-RO422
2020-21 City of Lubbock Legislative Agenda
Background:
Communicating with state and federal representatives and tracking legislative issues are
important to ensure the City Council has a strong voice in legislation and rulemaking that
impacts City governance and operations.
Statement of Intent:
The Lubbock City Council supports active participation and partnerships in the legislative
process. The City Council believes that local control is necessary and provides the ability to
govern in an effective and efficient manner.
Accordingly, the Lubbock City Council affirms to all necessary persons and parties the following
legislative positions, based on these principles:
• The City will work to pass its priority legislation.
• The City will oppose any legislation that would erode the governing authority of the
duly elected Lubbock City Council.
• The City will monitor proposed legislation and take appropriate action to assure the
City is able to meet its obligations under the City Charter, applicable law and to
provide local services as approved by the City Council.
• The City will oppose the imposition of any state mandates that do not provide for a
commensurate level of compensation.
• The City will work with appropriate associations and peer cities to support legislative
items that are consistent with the statements and principles contained within these
priorities and to oppose those that are not.
The City Council recognizes the speed with which the legislative process moves. In order to
respond in a timely manner to issues that fall outside the Council's approved principles, the
Mayor will consult with two Council members to direct legislative efforts through the City
Manager and City Attorney offices.
The Lubbock City Council identifies the following legislative priorities for 2020-21:
11 Page
The Eighty -Seventh Texas Legislature
The City will initiate:
Efforts to allow the City of Lubbock the option to adopt the Vacant Building and Minimum
Maintenance Standards authority allowed other municipalities.
The City will support:
Efforts to designate Interstate-27 north and south from its current limits to support growth
throughout the state, to enhance safety, to enhance passenger and freight mobility and to support
international trade through Texas.
Efforts to fund the appropriate capital costs to construct Interstate-27 from its current limits to
interstate highway standards.
Efforts to ensure long-term funding for the remaining development and construction of Loop 88
Lubbock Power & Light's efforts to transition to ERCOT and to enter the competitive market for
retail electrical power provider choice
Rules proposed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to appropriately distribute online
sales tax revenue to points of destination
Efforts to remove minimum sales thresholds through online marketplaces to establish equity
between online and traditional retailers
Changes to Chapter 143, Local Government Code that would enhance Police and Fire Chiefs'
authority in personnel matters
Clear definitions regarding the terms `deliberation' and `consideration' in light of changes in the
Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) made by HB 2840 (86R) and SB 1640 (86R)
Inclusion of Larger Municipal Fire Departments in matters before the Texas Commission of Fire
Protection (TCFP) Board
Ensure that `qualifying convention hotel projects' delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic can be
completed at the proper time and with state rebates
Efforts to require marketplace providers or facilitators of short-term rentals to remit the local
portion of the HOT tax directly to the appropriate municipality.
2 1 P a g e
Efforts to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety along Avenue Q (Highway 84) within the City
limits
Efforts to ensure cities can appropriately manage all utility installations within City rights -of -
way including the ability to charge market -based rates for access to City rights -of -ways to all
users
Expansion of broadband availability throughout Texas and provision of necessary state and
federal funding for such expansion
Funding for Texas Tech University, the Texas Tech University Veterinary School and the Texas
Tech University Mental Health Institute
Full funding for the Texas Recreation & Parks Account local grant program
Full restoration of state funding for mental health treatment
Creation and funding of state programs to address chronic homelessness
Efforts to add municipal parks as an eligible use for HOT funding, subject to local approval
Police Reform initiatives that are subject to local approval by duly elected governing bodies
3 1 P a g e
The City will oppose:
Limits on effective municipal participation in the legislative process and the ability to hire
representatives with public funds to represent the City in accordance with this duly adopted
legislative agenda on matters that would impact the City or our residents
New limits on City authority including additional appraisal or revenue caps and lowered rollback
requirements
New limits on the use or calculations involving issuance of certificates of obligation by
municipalities
Limits on municipal Home Rule authority or local control
Limits on municipal authority commonly known as preemption or super preemption bills
Increased pass -through or regulatory fees on cities that are collected for or on -behalf of the state
Removal of city original jurisdiction in utility rate -making proceedings or removal of the ability
to recover reasonable expenses involved in rate -making proceedings, including contested cases
Limits or diminution of the State or Regional Water Planning or Flood Planning process
Reduction or limits on the Event Trust Fund program
4 1 P a g e
The 117th United States Congress
The City will support:
Additional funding for mass transportation and highway systems
Designation of U.S. Highway 87 from Lubbock south as the continuation of Interstate 27 with
associated design standards and funding. This designation supports international trade, freight
mobility and agriculture.
Continued funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Partnership
Programs
Directing COVID-19 related financial assistance to municipalities regardless of population
5 1 P a g e