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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-053 ISR 90th Legislative Session Program UpdateSeptember 4, 2026 Report No. 2026-053 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Updates to the City of Denton’s 90th Texas Legislative Session Program. BACKGROUND: On August 4, 2026, the City Council held a Work Session of the City of Denton’s draft 90th Texas Legislative Session Program. During the Work Session, Council provided direction to add several priorities/positions to the program. Staff also identified an additional position for inclusion in the Utilities section to reinforce the City's existing authority over municipally owned utility rate- setting. This report summarizes those additions for Council’s information. DISCUSSION: Council-Directed Additions The following items were added to the Legislative Program at Council’s direction: Active Legislative Priorities Economic Development Corporation Sales Tax Allotment The City supports legislation increasing the sales tax allocation cap and providing the flexibility to allocate proceeds to both a transportation authority and an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Legislative Positions: Community & Partnerships: The City of Denton strives to be a good place to live for everyone, and supports legislation that upholds that goal at the state level. Taxation & Finance (Support): Separate treatment of business personal property (BPP) tax revenue from data centers in no-new revenue rate calculations. Utilities (Support): Regulatory clarity on data centers that preserves local decision-making authority over data center siting and development; Staff-Initiated Addition: In response to ongoing statewide discussions regarding the structure and rate-setting authority of municipally owned utilities, staff added the following position to the Utilities section: Utilities (Support): legislation that promotes responsible, transparent, and affordable municipally owned utility rates. September 4, 2026 Report No. 2026-053 CONCLUSION: These additions are reflected in the attached 90th Texas Legislative Session Program. With the addition of these items, staff will finalize the program and present the final program to Council at the September 22 Council Meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. 90th Texas Legislative Session Program – additions redlined 2. 90th Texas Legislative Session Program – clean STAFF CONTACT: Kristi Fogle Chief of Staff Kristi.Fogle@cityofdenton.com (940) 349-8565 REQUESTOR: Staff Initiated STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 8 PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: City Manager’s Office City of Denton 90th Texas Legislative Session DRAFT Legislative Program The City of Denton's Legislative Program outlines the City's priorities and positions for the 90th Texas Legislative Session. This program is intended to guide the City's engagement with the Texas Legislature and state agencies to advance legislation that supports the needs and well-being of Denton residents. Developed by City staff and approved by the Denton City Council, this program reflects the shared goals of the Denton community. The City supports legislation that strengthens local government's ability to serve its residents and opposes legislation that undermines that ability. The City of Denton's legislative efforts are guided by the following principles: • Foster strong partnerships with state leaders, regional partners, and community institutions. • Support investments in infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. • Advance the health, safety, and well-being of Denton residents. • Support accountable and transparent local government principles and decision-making. • Ensure strong financial stewardship to support dependable, high-value services for residents. Active Legislative Priorities These items represent legislation the City of Denton is actively pursuing during the 90th Legislative Session. First Responder Retirement & Property Tax Benefits The City supports legislation providing full retirement benefits and expanded property tax exemptions to first responders catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Housing Authority Reform (Ch. 392) The City supports amending Chapter 392 to ensure the legislature's prior changes to Chapter 303 Public Facility Corporations also apply to Public Facility Corporations and partnerships created under Chapter 392. Public Information Request Clarification The City supports legislation clarifying public information request requirements regarding the release of records involving deceased suspects versus deceased victims. Qualified Hotel Project Program Extension The City supports extending the Qualified Hotel Project program, which is set to expire, to preserve a critical economic development tool for municipalities. Economic Development Corporation Sales Tax Allotment The City supports legislation increasing the sales tax allocation cap and providing the flexibility to allocate proceeds to both a transportation authority and an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Legislative Positions Community & Partnerships The City of Denton values its strong partnerships with Denton ISD, Denton County, DCTA, NCTC, TWU, and UNT, and supports legislation that advances shared community priorities. The City of Denton strives to be a good place to live for everyone, and supports legislation that upholds that goal at the state level. Support: mental health care access and funding; services for individuals experiencing homelessness; public school and higher education funding; local decision-making authority. Taxation & Finance Support: municipal debt issuance authority; separate treatment of business personal property (BPP) tax revenue from data centers in no-new-revenue rate calculations. Oppose: restrictions on Certificates of Obligation; limits on necessary fee authority. Land Use & Development Support: cities' authority over ETJ removal requests; local control over lot sizes, density, parking, and ADUs. Oppose: restrictions on annexation, zoning, eminent domain, building codes, tree preservation, short-term rentals, or rights-of-way management. Utilities Support: Texas Water Development Board grant funding; direct potable reuse and water conservation initiatives; clear definition of Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service technology; critical infrastructure classification for electric power generation units; regulatory clarity on data centers that preserves local decision-making authority over data center siting and development; legislation that promotes responsible, transparent, and affordable municipally owned utility rates. Oppose: restrictions on large load interconnections to MOU distribution systems; legislation impacting General Fund Transfers. City Services Support: first responder designation for essential city employees like solid waste, animal control, and utility workers; TASPP reimbursement restoration to historic funding levels; Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Parks Grant Program funding, humane regulation of puppy mills and pet stores. Oppose: restrictions on library materials decisions or community events. Transportation & Aviation Support: multimodal transportation funding for growing urban areas; local flexibility to fund transportation projects; state aviation capital improvement investment. City of Denton 90th Texas Legislative Session DRAFT Legislative Program The City of Denton's Legislative Program outlines the City's priorities and positions for the 90th Texas Legislative Session. This program is intended to guide the City's engagement with the Texas Legislature and state agencies to advance legislation that supports the needs and well-being of Denton residents. Developed by City staff and approved by the Denton City Council, this program reflects the shared goals of the Denton community. The City supports legislation that strengthens local government's ability to serve its residents and opposes legislation that undermines that ability. The City of Denton's legislative efforts are guided by the following principles: • Foster strong partnerships with state leaders, regional partners, and community institutions. • Support investments in infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. • Advance the health, safety, and well-being of Denton residents. • Support accountable and transparent local government principles and decision-making. • Ensure strong financial stewardship to support dependable, high-value services for residents. Active Legislative Priorities These items represent legislation the City of Denton is actively pursuing during the 90th Legislative Session. First Responder Retirement & Property Tax Benefits The City supports legislation providing full retirement benefits and expanded property tax exemptions to first responders catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Housing Authority Reform (Ch. 392) The City supports amending Chapter 392 to ensure the legislature's prior changes to Chapter 303 Public Facility Corporations also apply to Public Facility Corporations and partnerships created under Chapter 392. Public Information Request Clarification The City supports legislation clarifying public information request requirements regarding the release of records involving deceased suspects versus deceased victims. Qualified Hotel Project Program Extension The City supports extending the Qualified Hotel Project program, which is set to expire, to preserve a critical economic development tool for municipalities. Economic Development Corporation Sales Tax Allotment The City supports legislation increasing the sales tax allocation cap and providing the flexibility to allocate proceeds to both a transportation authority and an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Legislative Positions Community & Partnerships The City of Denton values its strong partnerships with Denton ISD, Denton County, DCTA, NCTC, TWU, and UNT, and supports legislation that advances shared community priorities. The City of Denton strives to be a good place to live for everyone, and supports legislation that upholds that goal at the state level. Support: mental health care access and funding; services for individuals experiencing homelessness; public school and higher education funding; local decision-making authority Taxation & Finance Support: municipal debt issuance authority; separate treatment of business personal property (BPP) tax revenue from data centers in no-new-revenue rate calculations Oppose: restrictions on Certificates of Obligation; limits on necessary fee authority. Land Use & Development Support: cities' authority over ETJ removal requests; local control over lot sizes, density, parking, and ADUs. Oppose: restrictions on annexation, zoning, eminent domain, building codes, tree preservation, short-term rentals, or rights-of-way management. Utilities Support: Texas Water Development Board grant funding; direct potable reuse and water conservation initiatives; clear definition of Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service technology; critical infrastructure classification for electric power generation units; regulatory clarity on data centers that preserves local decision-making authority over data center siting and development; legislation that promotes responsible, transparent, and affordable municipally owned utility rates Oppose: restrictions on large load interconnections to MOU distribution systems; legislation impacting General Fund Transfers City Services Support: first responder designation for essential city employees like solid waste, animal control, and utility workers; TASPP reimbursement restoration to historic funding levels; Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Parks Grant Program funding, humane regulation of puppy mills and pet stores. Oppose: restrictions on library materials decisions or community events. Transportation & Aviation Support: multimodal transportation funding for growing urban areas; local flexibility to fund transportation projects; state aviation capital improvement investment.