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City staff outline priorities and risks for the 89th Texas Legislature; council voices concern about bills limiting municipal authority
Summary
City government affairs staff briefed council on the 2025 Texas legislative session, flagging bills that could limit municipal advocacy and DEI offices while highlighting funding opportunities for schools, property tax relief and infrastructure.
City government affairs staff provided an early briefing on the 89th Texas Legislature on Jan. 30, saying the comptroller projects roughly $195 billion for general‑purpose spending and a multi‑billion surplus that lawmakers may allocate to school funding and property‑tax relief. The city is tracking hundreds of bills that could affect municipal authority, permitting, land use and public safety.
Bills monitored: Staff identified multiple draft bills that would limit municipalities’ ability to hire lobbyists or join advocacy associations, bills aimed at prohibiting DEI offices or contracting for DEI services (HB 167 among others), and land‑use bills targeting ADU rules and lot‑size restrictions. Other tracked items include a statewide homeless data‑sharing proposal (HB 636), a dangerous‑dogs bill (HB 1346 / SB 155 companion), pedestrian infrastructure grant programs (HB 769), and proposed limits on e‑cigarette retailers near schools (SB 464 and related proposals).
Council reaction: Several council members warned that some pending bills appear designed to curtail local authority and the city’s capacity to advocate for neighborhood interests in Austin. Council Member Palaios called HB 167 “alarming” and said prohibiting consideration of historically disadvantaged groups in city contracting would rollback decades of efforts to expand opportunities. Other council members urged the city to work with the delegation on funding for the East‑West Corridor and on public‑safety matters including vehicle‑burglary penalties and fentanyl‑testing‑strip legalization. Members also asked staff to monitor proposals relating to insurance costs, child-care support, and expanding healthcare and dementia care initiatives.
Staff actions: Government affairs said it is tracking more than 500 bills and will provide monthly updates to council, post the city’s registered positions, and brief the IGR committee; the city will coordinate with the Bexar County delegation and other local partners to protect municipal prerogatives and pursue infrastructure and housing priorities.
Ending: Council directed government affairs to continue close monitoring, prioritize bills affecting municipal authority, land use and public safety, and return regular updates as the session unfolds.
