Yearly Archives: 2019
State of Texas Calls on Cities to Strengthen Cybersecurity, Enhance Government Transparency
If there were any doubt that we were firmly entrenched in the information age, consider that just 30 years ago, in 1989, the word cybersecurity did not even exist. This year, the Texas Legislature has passed a law mandating that all city officials and employees take cybersecurity training to be aware and able to… Read More »
Cities in Texas May No Longer Restrict Building Materials Approved in International Codes
Most Texas cities have a sort of visual harmony when it comes to either the community as a whole, or specific neighborhoods within the city. This is because most Texas cities have ordinances regulating the construction of residential and commercial buildings. These ordinances are typically aimed at providing safety for citizens by requiring high-quality… Read More »
Electric Power Lines: To Bury, or Not to Bury. That is the Question
A common issue that Texas cities face when dealing with electric utility companies centers around whether they can require a company to place their electric utilities underground. One would think that the City simply needs to adopt an ordinance that requires electrical undergrounding. However, as many Texas cities are discovering, it is not that… Read More »
New Texas Law for Flood Control Funding Depends on Voters this November
Louisiana has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Barry heads for land, bringing the potential for a life-threatening storm surge. In Houston, we breathe a collective sigh of relief while simultaneously, our Hurricane Harvey memories are refreshed. What has Texas done to avoid the type of flooding and damage experienced in 2017… Read More »
Fourth of July and the Law of Fireworks
When you hear “Independence Day,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a myriad of things—cookouts, swimming, tricorn hats, Old Glory, alien invasions—but I’d bet one of the top things most people think of is fireworks. After all, is there a better way to celebrate anything than to set off a series of colorful, controlled explosions?… Read More »
How a Municipal Utility District (MUD) Facilitates Real Estate Development in Texas
Many Texans who live in the areas surrounding big cities may pay their water bills to a municipal utility district, or “MUD,” without really understanding what they are and how they work. From a legal standpoint, a MUD is a little bit like a tiny government that manages the water and sewer services for… Read More »
It’s Flooding Down in Texas: Effects on Real Property When a River Shifts
In one way or another, every Texan is familiar with the phrase, “it’s flooding down in Texas.” Either from the chorus to a classic blues jam belted out all over the local radio stations by one of our native sons, the late and great Stevie Ray Vaughan, or from watching a local news broadcast… Read More »
Texas Voters to Decide on Constitutional Amendments for Police Dogs, State Parks and More
Our most recent blog written by our firm president detailed how Texans are waiting for Governor Abbott to sign bills on his desk that passed during the recent 86th Legislative Session. There is plenty of change hinging on the Governor’s signature, however, some legislation will require more than the Governor’s signature and will also… Read More »
Texas Legislature Tightens State Reins over Local Control
As Daenerys rode the dragon Drogon and sacked King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, I was reminded of the just closed 86th Texas legislative session and its effect on local control. “Local control” is the notion that the better form of government is the government closest to the people because it is more responsive… Read More »
No More Tiers: Annexation Becomes More Challenging for All Texas Cities
Annexations have been a hot-button issue in Texas in recent years. Texas annexation laws, which underwent major changes a couple of years ago, were again addressed by the Texas legislature in the most recent legislative session. In 2017, Senate Bill 6, also known as The Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act, was aimed at… Read More »