Gov. Abbott called for a special 30 day legislative session beginning July 18, 2017.
The Governor has called for the passage of sunset laws that extend the life of existing state agencies, such as the Medical Licensing Board. Once such laws are passed, he added 19 items for the legislature to address. Several of those items will directly affect the city of Georgetown.
Property tax relief similar to that proposed in Senate Bill 2 in the past 85th session. That bill seeks to curb the growth in property taxes that local government agencies like cities and counties impose on property owners. SB 2 could require taxing entities to hold an election if the amount of operating and maintenance funds they plan to collect from property taxes is, in general, 5 percent more than what they took in the previous year.
The Governor also requested the legislature either pass a state law or pass a resolution for a constitutional ammendment that would limit state and local government budget growth to population growth plus inflation.
Pass a law prohibiting over-regulation by local governments with special emphasis on:
1. regulation of tress on private property
2. changes in regulations during approved property development
3. accelerate the permitting process
Pass a law that prohibits regulation by local government of mobile devices used in motor vehicles.
And finally, pass a law that prohibits city annexation of property without voter approval of those owning property within the proposed area to be annexed.
Other items to be addressed in the special legislative session may also impact city governance. Time will reveal other potential impacts.
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