Title
Discuss and consider action regarding an update on the Texas Municipal League Policy Summit and a resolution for TML legislative priorities.
Summary
The Texas Municipal League (TML) Policy Summit is on August 12 - 13, 2024 in Austin, Texas. The Summit is an intensive, two-day workshop during which League staff briefs the participants on the myriad legislative issues faced by cities. After each subject-matter briefing, the participants make concise recommendations on the issues. Those recommendations are placed into resolution form and submitted to the League’s annual business meeting.
Resolutions for consideration at the Texas Municipal League Annual Conference are due no later than 5:00PM on August 26, 2024. The TML Constitution provides that resolutions must be submitted by any member city, TML region, or TML affiliate to the TML headquarters 45 calendar days prior to the first day of the Annual Conference.
The attached resolution allows for City Council to submit any additional topics that have not been covered at the TML Policy summit or by the current proposed TML program. Last year, Council submitted resolutions related to 1.) Texas Department of Transportation fees and required maintenance for toll road improvement projects by municipalities, 2.) Emergency Services District Commissioner Boards to be elected, and 3.) City council approval for an ESD to expand into a city’s corporate limits or ETJ.
The TML Board of Directors has adopted several procedures governing the resolutions process. Those procedures are summarized below.
1. No resolution may be considered at the annual TML business meeting unless it has prior approval of: (a) the governing body of a TML member city; (b) the governing body or membership of a TML affiliate, or (c) the membership of a TML region at a regional meeting.
2. TML member cities, regions, and affiliates that wish to submit a resolution must complete a resolution cover sheet.
3. It is recommended that any resolution state one of four categories to better direct League staff. Those categories are:
o Seek Introduction and Passage means that the League will attempt to find a sponsor, will provide testimony, and will otherwise actively pursue passage. Bills in this category are known as “TML bills.”
o Support means the League will attempt to obtain passage of the initiative if it is introduced by a city or some other entity.
o Oppose.
o Take No Position.
4. Resolutions submitted will be thoroughly discussed at the TML Annual Conference. Each city is asked to provide one delegate to serve as its liaison at the annual business meeting at which resolutions will be considered. The delegate isn’t required to have any special expertise, and an elected official representative is encouraged but not required. The delegate must sign up electronically prior to the meeting or can sign up in person at a table outside of the meeting room. Cities are encouraged to sign up their delegate early.
5. The city, region, or affiliate that submits a resolution is encouraged to send a representative to the business meeting to explain the resolution. The business meeting will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Prior City Council Action
On August 8, 2023, City Council passed a resolution regarding submittal of approved Texas Municipal League resolutions.
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure __ N/A _X_
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No __ N/A _X_
Amount: ________
1295 Form Required? Yes __ No _X_
Legal Review Required: N/A _X_ Required __ Date Completed: ___________
Supporting documents attached:
The Texas Municipal League Proposed 25-26 Legislative Program
2024 TML Policy Summit
Draft TML Priorities Resolution 2024