Source: City of Richardson.
On October 26, 2026, the Richardson City Council reviewed and discussed a draft legislative agenda for the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature. The good news is that the City remained committed to opposing the gradual whittling away of Richardson's home rule authority by recent legislative sessions. The better news is that what was reviewed was only a draft. A final legislative agenda is to be placed on a future Council agenda for consideration and approval. The seismic change in Austin (and Washington) resulting from the election offers opportunities that haven't existed in decades. Richardson needs to press their advantage.
Here is what was presented on October 26 as Richardson's draft legislative agenda.
- To preserve the ability for locally elected officials to govern and respond effectively and efficiently to the individual and market driven needs of its residents, and other stakeholders
- Oppose any legislative action that would erode home rule authority of municipalities or establish unfunded mandates that constrain the ability of cities to allocate scarce resources to locally determined priorities
- Support legislation seeking to restore local control/home rule authority eroded by prior legislation
- Support legislation that blocks any attempts to prohibit the authority of the City Council to use public funds to communicate with legislators and state agencies as well as pay membership dues to organizations that hire lobbyists
Source: City of Richardson.
At the time, there was nothing particularly remarkable about the draft, which might be why I didn't comment on it then. It was more of the same as what we've seen before every Legislative term. It was defensive in nature: "Preserve," "Oppose," "Block." In the third bullet is the opportunity to go on offense: "Restore" local control eroded by prior legislation. But how, exactly? The answer to "How?" is left unstated.
On November 3, the world shifted under our feet. The change in political leadership in Austin creates an opportunity not merely to defend home rule authority, but to reclaim authority that previous legislatures have taken away.
Richardson should get aggressive in answering that "How?" Lobby the 90th Legislature to repeal the more egregious laws that previous state Legislatures used to restrict or deny local control. Here are some candidates. Don't consider this list exhaustive, or even necessarily the highest priority items. It's a start.
- HB 2127 (2023): Repeal the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, which broadly preempts municipal regulatory authority in specified areas of state law.
- SB 2 (2019): Restore the previous 8% voter-approval threshold for property-tax revenue growth.
- SB 929 (2023): Repeal additional notice requirements and compensation obligations when a municipality requires an existing nonconforming use to stop.
- HB 3699 (2023): Restore local flexibility in subdivision and plat approval requirements.
- SB 1567 (2025): Restore municipal authority to establish reasonable occupancy limits based on familial and relationship status.
- HB 1750 (2023): Restore local authority over agricultural operations.
Repealing these restrictions is only part of the job. The Legislature should also enact affirmative statutory language making clear that the authority taken away from municipalities is being restored.
Richardson should work through the Texas Municipal League and in cooperation with the cities of Dallas, Plano, Garland and our other neighbors to increase our collective influence and avoid working at cross purposes.
There's so much to do and so little time to prepare. Legislators and legislators-elect can start filing bills November 9th.
A good account of what's going on around the state can be found in this article in The Texas Tribune: "With Democrats sweeping Texas, the GOP-led war on cities nears its end".
"November winds blow.
The balance shifts in Austin.
Let's reclaim Home Rule."
—h/t ChatGPT
No comments:
Post a Comment