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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution No. 3131 (Item 8.a.)RESOLUTION NO. 3131 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF BAYTOWN'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby establishes the City of Baytown's Legislative Priorities for the 901h Texas Legislative Session, which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein for all intents and purposes. Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of Baytown this the 10th day of September, 2026. CHARLES JOHNSON, Mayor ATTEST: ANGELA JACKSON, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: SCOTT LEMOND, City Attorney R:\Ordinances and Resolutions\Resolution Drafts\City Council\2026-9-10\Resolution Adopting State Legislative Priorities.90th session. mhs.docx EXHIBIT "A" 901h State Legislative Session DRAFT Legislative Program August 2026 SECTION I Legislation the City Intends to Actively Pursue During the 90th Texas Legislature 01 1 Procurement Modernization for Special Districts Purpose To modernize competitive procurement requirements applicable to municipal affiliate organizations and special-purpose governmental entities serving the residents of Baytown. Issue During the 89th Texas Legislature, competitive procurement thresholds applicable to municipalities were increased from $50,000 to $100,000. However, corresponding thresholds applicable to affiliated governmental entities were not adjusted. As a result, entities that provide essential public services, including the Baytown Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) and Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Services District (FCPEMSD) remain subject to procurement requirements that no longer reflect current market conditions, inflationary pressures, or operational realities. The differing procurement standards create unnecessary administrative burdens, increase project timelines, and result in inconsistent purchasing requirements among local governmental entities serving the same community. Requested Legislative Action The City supports legislation that: • Modernizes competitive procurement thresholds applicable to municipal affiliate entities. • Aligns procurement requirements for CCPD and FCPEMSD with thresholds applicable to municipalities under state law. • Preserves transparency, competition, and public accountability while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens. • Recognizes inflationary impacts and evolving procurement practices affecting local governments. Baytown Position SUPPORT 02 1 Design -Build Authority for Regulatory Compliance Infrastructure Projects Purpose To authorize the City of Baytown to utilize the design -build project delivery method for certain public infrastructure projects required to satisfy state or federal regulatory compliance obligations. Issue Baytown is responsible for maintaining critical wastewater, water, drainage, and utility infrastructure systems that protect public health, support economic development, and ensure environmental compliance. When municipalities are subject to consent decrees, enforcement actions, agreed orders, or similar regulatory requirements, projects often must be completed within strict timelines. Traditional procurement methods can increase project duration, administrative complexity, and overall project risk. Requested Legislative Action The City supports legislation that: • Authorizes Baytown to utilize design -build delivery methods for qualifying infrastructure projects necessary to meet state or federal regulatory compliance requirements. • Applies appropriate procurement safeguards, transparency requirements, and professional engineering standards. • Allows municipalities to accelerate project delivery, improve coordination, reduce risk, and meet compliance deadlines more effectively. • Supports efficient delivery of wastewater, water, drainage, stormwater, and related public infrastructure improvements. Baytown Position SUPPORT SECTION II LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Issues on Which the City Will Actively Advocate During the 90th Legislature 04 1 Local Authority and Municipal Governance The City of Baytown supports the principle that government closest to the people governs best. As a major industrial, petrochemical, logistics, and energy -producing community, Baytown faces unique opportunities and challenges that require local solutions developed by locally elected officials accountable directly to the residents they serve. The City supports legislation that preserves municipal authority over zoning, land use regulation, permitting, annexation, development standards, code enforcement, and municipal governance. The City further supports policies that allow municipalities to address neighborhood concerns, infrastructure demands, public safety needs, and economic development opportunities in a manner consistent with local priorities. The City opposes legislation that further expands state preemption of municipal authority, imposes unfunded mandates, restricts municipal governance flexibility, or diminishes the ability of local governments to respond to the specific needs of their communities. 05 1 Infrastructure Utilities, and Environmental Resiliency Baytown's continued growth, industrial activity, and coastal location require substantial investment in public infrastructure and utility systems. The City supports legislative efforts that strengthen the reliability, resiliency, and long-term sustainability of critical infrastructure serving residents, businesses, and industry. The City supports legislation and funding opportunities that assist municipalities in addressing aging water, wastewater, drainage, and stormwater systems, including sanitary sewer overflow challenges and other regulatory compliance obligations. The City further supports expanded grant and financing opportunities for coastal and industrial communities, preservation of municipal utility -rate authority, reimbursement of municipal rate -case expenses, and the continued authority to assess and collect lawful impact fees and utility - related infrastructure charges. The City also supports regulatory and enforcement frameworks that recognize the operational realities facing communities working to modernize aging infrastructure while maintaining compliance with state and federal environmental requirements. 06 1 Economic Development and Industrial Competitiveness Baytown plays a vital role in the Texas economy through its contributions to the energy, petrochemical, logistics, manufacturing, and maritime sectors. The City supports legislative efforts that preserve and enhance the tools available to local governments to attract investment, create jobs, expand the tax base, and promote economic opportunity. The City supports the continued availability of economic development agreements, infrastructure partnerships, workforce development initiatives, redevelopment programs, and other tools that encourage private -sector investment and industrial growth. The City opposes efforts that unnecessarily restrict local economic development authority or diminish the ability of communities to compete for major investments. 07 1 Transportation and Freight Mobility Baytown's strategic location within the Houston region places it at the center of significant freight, industrial, and commuter transportation activity. Maintaining an efficient and safe transportation network is essential to the continued economic success of the community and the region. The City supports legislative initiatives and funding opportunities that improve freight mobility, reduce traffic congestion, enhance roadway safety, and advance critical transportation projects. Particular emphasis should be placed on projects and policies that support improvements to State Highway 146, State Highway 99, Spur 330, the San Jacinto River Bridge corridor, Cedar Bayou crossings, railroad grade separations, and other infrastructure investments that improve regional mobility and economic competitiveness. 08 1 Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Protecting public safety remains one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. As a coastal industrial community, Baytown must prepare for natural disasters, industrial incidents, hazardous - material events, and other emergencies that require coordinated local response capabilities. The City supports legislation that strengthens emergency preparedness, disaster response, critical infrastructure protection, public -safety communications, municipal court modernization, and first -responder capabilities. The City also supports state funding opportunities that improve local resilience and emergency response capacity while opposing unfunded mandates that place additional burdens on local governments without corresponding resources. 09 1 Neighborhood Quality and Community Standards The quality of Baytown's neighborhoods directly affects the health, safety, and quality of life of its residents. The City supports legislative efforts that preserve local authority to maintain community standards and protect neighborhood character. The City supports municipal authority related to multifamily housing oversight, nuisance abatement, substandard structure remediation, graffiti removal, property maintenance enforcement, signage regulation, and other tools that help communities address local concerns. The City opposes legislation that limits a municipality's ability to protect neighborhood quality, enforce local standards, or respond to community concerns. 10 1 Open Government and Public Engagement The City supports efforts to modernize public engagement, increase transparency, and improve access to government information while maintaining efficient local government operations. The City supports legislation that provides greater flexibility regarding public notices, public hearings, election administration, digital communications, and public information practices. The City also supports modernizing statutory requirements to reflect contemporary communication methods and technological advancements while preserving meaningful public participation. 11 1 Regulatory Compliance and Infrastructure Funding The City supports legislation, funding programs, and regulatory policies that assist municipalities in meeting state and federal infrastructure compliance obligations. Baytown recognizes the importance of protecting public health, environmental quality, and community safety while maintaining affordable utility services for residents and businesses. The City supports expanded grant opportunities, low -interest financing, infrastructure funding programs, regulatory flexibility, and collaborative compliance approaches that help communities address wastewater, water, drainage, stormwater, and other critical infrastructure needs. The City opposes unfunded mandates and regulatory requirements that impose substantial local costs without corresponding financial assistance. SECTION III LEGISLATIVE MONITORING PRIORITIES Issues the City Will Monitor During the 90th Legislature Growth and Housing Policy The City will monitor legislation affecting residential density requirements, accessory dwelling units, lot -size requirements, mixed -use development mandates, nonconforming uses, build -to -rent developments, religious - land development, subdivision authority, and other proposals that may affect local planning and development authority. Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Government Technology The City will monitor legislation related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity requirements, records management, digital government services, municipal technology systems, and emerging technology regulations affecting local governments. Election Administration and Public Information The City will monitor legislation affecting election procedures, ballot language requirements, election security, county election services, public information laws, records retention requirements, and governmental transparency obligations. Health, Food Service, and Local Licensing The City will monitor legislation affecting food -service regulation, mobile food vendors, public -health permitting, local licensing authority, and related public -health regulatory matters. Utility and Energy Policy The City will monitor legislation relating to electric reliability, water infrastructure regulation, utility cost allocation, energy policy, environmental regulation, and other issues affecting municipal utility operations. This includes emerging energy -intensive or energy -related developments, such as data centers and battery energy storage facilities. The City supports the State's leadership role in energy policy while preserving appropriate municipal authority over local permitting, land use, infrastructure impacts, public safety, and community compatibility. Municipal Finance and Special District Governance The City will monitor legislation affecting debt issuance, audit requirements, bond elections, taxation authority, special district governance, procurement requirements, and other matters affecting local governmental operations and fiscal management.