September 27, 2019, Number 37


Download the full .pdf version here: TML Legislative Update 37


Several Resolutions Submitted for Consideration:

Get Involved in the TML Legislative Policy Process

Several cities and one region submitted legislative resolutions for consideration at the 2019 TML Annual Conference in San Antonio.  The topics relate, among other things, to:

  • Civil service city firefighter age limits;
  • Gas pipeline routing;
  • Gun violence;
  • Railroad crossing delays; and
  • Access to legal notices.

The full resolutions packet is available here.  The resolutions will be debated at the TML business meeting on October 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Each city is entitled to one voting delegate at the business meeting.  The delegate isn’t required to have any special expertise, and an elected official delegate is encouraged but not required.  The delegate can sign up electronically at https://www.tml.org/FormCenter/Member-Resources-5/2019-TML-Business-Meeting-66 prior to the meeting, or sign up in person at a table outside of the meeting room.  Cities are encouraged to sign up their delegate early using the link above. 

All city officials are welcome to attend the meeting, whether or not they are a voting delegate.


Cyber Security Training Update

House Bill 3834, which became effective on June 14, 2019, mandates cybersecurity training for city officials and employees. The Texas Department of Information Resources, in consultation with the Texas Cybersecurity Council, is required to certify cybersecurity training programs required by the bill.

The application to submit training programs for certification is now available. Applications must be submitted by Friday, October 4, to be considered for the initial list of certified training programs. Programs submitted after October 4 will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the first year.

Cities that employ a dedicated information resources cybersecurity officer may use an in-house cybersecurity training program that satisfies the statutory content requirements. In this scenario, a city can submit an exception form located on the cybersecurity awareness training certification webpage.

The League is coordinating with the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool and the Texas Association of Government Information Technology Managers to determine how best to provide the training to city officials.  More information will follow.

For questions about H.B. 3834 and the certification process, please contact TXTrainingCert@dir.texas.gov.


Cities Receive Opioid Litigation Opt-Out Forms

Texas cities have begun receiving an “opt-out” form and additional information relating to ongoing litigation over the opioid crisis.  The judge in the very complex, multi-party and multi-district litigation recently took action to certify every local government in the United States as a class member in the litigation.

The court has set up a website with additional information, including a map showing the possible allocation of settlement funds, assuming a hypothetical settlement of $1 billion is reached.  The map page allows a user to enter the Texas county in which they live.  The site then shows the breakdown of how much each city could expect to receive under the hypothetical settlement amount. 

Whether to remain in the class or opt out is up to each individual city.  The Texas attorney general has filed litigation on behalf of the state in state court, but no Texas city has filed any individual litigation so far as League staff is aware.


Disclaimer

TML member cities may use the material herein for any purpose. No other person or entity may reproduce, duplicate, or distribute any part of this document without the written authorization of the Texas Municipal League.