July 17, 2020, Number 28


Download the full .pdf version here: TML Legislative Update 28


Resolutions for the 2020 TML Annual Conference

The TML Constitution states that resolutions for consideration at the annual conference must be submitted to the TML headquarters 45 calendar days prior to the first day of the Annual Conference. For 2020, this provision means that resolutions from any member city, TML region, or TML affiliate must arrive at the TML headquarters no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 26, 2020. For details on the submission process, go to:

https://www.tml.org/DocumentCenter/View/1999/Memo-for-Cities-2020-05312020_corrected.

To learn more about how resolutions fit within the League’s Legislative Policy Development Process, go to:

https://www.tml.org/DocumentCenter/View/1859/2019-2020-Policy-Process-53120.


Emergency Management:

CDC Natural Disaster and COVID-19 Response Website

The Centers for Disease Control has launched a new website that provides information on preparing for, and recovering from, natural disasters and severe weather during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as information on what the general public can do to keep themselves safe.

As a reminder, the League has prepared emergency management resources that cities may find helpful in the event of a disaster. This information, which consists of legal FAQs, example documents, and helpful resources, is available here.


Attorney General Proposes Rules for Reporting Human Trafficking Cases

The Office of the Attorney General proposed rules to implement House Bill 3800. Beginning August 1, 2020, the proposed rules require a city police department located in a county with a population of more than 500,000 to “submit reports concerning human trafficking cases using the reporting system designated by the Office of the Attorney General on its website.” Under the rules, the same requirement applies to city police departments located in a county with a population of 500,000 or less beginning August 1, 2021.

The proposed rules are available here. Written comments on the proposed rules should be submitted before August 9 to Angela Goodwin, Associate Deputy for Criminal Justice, Office of the Attorney General, at Angela.Goodwin@oag.texas.gov.


National Civic League:

Help Modernize the Model City Charter

The National Civic League asked TML to share the following with member cities:

Recent events have challenged local governments, with debates over public health, racial equity, and policing raising important issues, including questions about the distribution of power and decision-making responsibility.

The National Civic League is looking for volunteers to assist in efforts to review, revise, and update the Model City Charter to ensure that the document best reflects the realities facing local governments in the 21st Century.

To serve on one of our charter review committees, contact Mike McGrath at the National Civic League at 303-571-4343 or mikem@ncl.org.

And please take this brief survey to help us prioritize which sections of the Model City Charter are most in need of updating or revising.


Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The Texas Municipal League is open for business. The building is closed to all but essential personnel and most staff is working remotely, but the League remains open for business and is fully ready to serve. Cities are encouraged to call or email for legal assistance, help with ordinances, or for general advice or assistance. Let us know how we can assist you and your city.

Call TML staff at 512-231-7400, or email Scott Houston for legal assistance at SHouston@tml.org; Rachael Pitts for membership support at RPitts@tml.org; and the training team for questions about conferences and workshops at training@tml.org.

The League has prepared a coronavirus clearinghouse web page to keep cities updated. In addition, everyone who receives the Legislative Update should receive a daily email update each afternoon with information on new developments. The daily email updates will be our primary means of communication during the pandemic. Those emails are being archived chronologically as well as by subject matter. 


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.