LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING July 10, 2019 David Kelly, Government - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Regional Service Through Unity… Meeting our Region’s Needs Today and Tomorrow

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING July 10, 2019 David Kelly, Government Relations Advisor

Agenda

AGENDA

III. ACTION ITEMS A. Consider approval of Legislative Committee meeting minutes – March 14, 2019 IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Update on state government relations 1. Summary of 86th Texas Legislature 2. Interim year action plan B. Update on federal government relations 1. Status of proposed legislation 2. Federal government action plan C. Path forward for Texas/Oklahoma boundary issue D. Update on local government outreach E. Opportunity for Committee members to provide feedback on meeting F. Opportunity for Committee members to request potential future agenda items (No substantive discussion of items will take place at this time)

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Action Items

A. Consider approval of Legislative Committee meeting minutes – March 14, 2019 Recommend approval of Legislative Committee meeting minutes – March 14, 2019 AGENDA

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Discussion Items

• A. Update on state government relations

1. Summary of 86th Texas Legislature 2. Interim year action plan AGENDA

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SUMMARY OF 86TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE

• Recording Legislation
• No law was enacted that requires recording of the Board’s meetings. The bill sponsored

by Senator Paxton passed the Senate. Rep. Leach’s bill passed Committee but never made it onto the calendar for House action.

• Contracting Requirements
• Holland’s bill reducing the repose periods for contractor liability was dropped but we

expect it to return in the next legislature.

• Leach’s bill, HB 1999 does affect us.
• Water Availability Models Updates at TCEQ
• Funding was also included in the budget for this. This was the top priority for our TWSP

coalition.

• Lobbying Disclosure Amendment
• Budget line item and disclosure form
• Hurricane Harvey and Flooding Bills

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INTERIM YEAR ACTION PLAN

• Focused relationship building efforts with our service area’s delegation
• Introductory briefings with district staff under way now
• Regular Austin trips bi-monthly to interact with legislative staff
• Tours and Briefings
• August 23 tour of Bois d’Arc Lake construction sites - currently five state

House Members, one Senator, Texas Water Development Board member and legislative staff

• Planned tour for House Natural Resources Committee – date TBD
• Tours of Water Treatment Plant and Wetlands for Members as requested
• Engagement with House and Senate Natural Resources Committees on

Interim Charges

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Discussion Items

• B. Update on federal government relations

1. Status of proposed legislation 2. Federal government action plan AGENDA

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CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE STYLE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK

• EIS Lawsuit Bill
• Unlikely to pass due to change in control of House
• Issues in Senate committee as well
• Determined to not ask our delegation to reintroduce the bill
• HR 29 – Interstate Water Transfers Bill
• Introduced by Rep. Gohmert
• Referred to Judiciary Committee – Unlikely to move forward
• Termination of Contract with Hicks-Ray Associates
• Plan Going Forward
• With minimal Federal issues in progress, David will focus on relationship

maintenance.

• Mike and David will travel to DC in two weeks.

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Discussion Items

• C. Path forward for Texas/Oklahoma boundary issue

AGENDA

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CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE STYLE OKLAHOMA-TEXAS BORDER COMMISSION

• End of session in Oklahoma and Texas provides opportunity now to begin

meeting with officials and tribes in Oklahoma

• Need to determine legislative champion
• Clayton Taylor remains under contract through Lloyd Gosselink
• Scheduling trips to OK for Tom, staff and chair in late July and August
• Outlook remains difficult; Oklahoma unlikely to consent
• New Governor provides slim opportunity
• Unclear where he stands but political perils and obstinance remain

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Discussion Items

• D. Update on local government outreach

AGENDA

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CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE STYLE LOCAL OUTREACH

• Chambers of Commerce
• Engagement in our Chambers has been helpful in connecting us to

leaders

• Councils and city staff regularly attend as well
• Increased visibility in community
• Staff Relationships
• David

continues to build relationships with ACMs and intergovernmental staff

• Petitioning cities remain challenging from a staff perspective
• Regional Groups
• We continue to increase participation in regional groups including

NCTCOG, NTC and CCBA

• City leaders also participate, offering opportunities to interact

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Discussion Items

E. Opportunity for Committee Members to Provide Feedback on Legislative Committee Meetings AGENDA

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CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE STYLE AGENDA

Discussion Items

F. Opportunity for Committee Members to Request Potential Future Agenda Items

(No substantive discussion of items will take place at this time)

Adjournment

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