Category Archives: Local Governmental Entities
Good Boy! Modifying Employee Policies for Service Animals Under the ADA
In recent years, Texas cities have seen a rise in requests from employees to bring service animals to work. Texas municipalities face unique legal considerations in determining when and how to provide such an accommodation. Understanding the intersection of federal and state laws is crucial for cities to establish policies ensuring employee protection and… Read More »
Liberty and Custard for All: The Food Truck Freedom Bill Means Less Local Regulation on the Menu
House Bill 2844 (“HB2844”), nicknamed the “Food Truck Freedom Bill” (see HB2844 author Republican House Representative Brooks Landgraf’s Instagram post celebrating HB2844’s imminent successful passage at https://www.instagram.com/p/DKTVWlNMYLf/?hl=en), aims to centralize and streamline regulation of mobile food vendors across Texas by requiring a single, state-issued permit and preempting most local regulation of food truck-related industry…. Read More »
Elections 101: How to Resolve a Tie Vote, Part Deux
Earlier this year, we explored how to resolve a tie vote in an election requiring a plurality vote under Texas Election Code Section 2.002. A plurality vote simply means that one candidate need only have more votes than another candidate. But what happens in those jurisdictions for which a majority vote is required? A… Read More »
Texas Legislature Provides Some Clarification on Municipal Authority over Short-Term Rentals
The rapid growth of short-term rental (STR) platforms has created regulatory challenges for Texas municipalities seeking to balance property rights with community interests. While recent judicial decisions have attempted to clarify the extent of municipal authority to regulate these operations, without a state statute which specifically preempts or authorizes a Texas municipality to regulate… Read More »
Keeping Local Systems in Line: Has the Death Star Reached Its Ultimate Power?
On Friday, July 18, 2025, the litigation challenging what has been colloquially dubbed the “Death Star Bill” (AKA the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act; herein “TRCA”) met a fatal blow. The Third Court of Appeals of Texas dismissed without prejudice the City of Houston’s (“COH”) lawsuit seeking, under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act (“UDJA”), a… Read More »
Behind Closed Doors: Understanding the Rules of Executive Session Disclosure
We’ve written about the Texas Open Meeting Act many times before, but from a legal standpoint, what happens if someone reveals what happened in Executive Session? The answer might be somewhat surprising. Common sense dictates that if something is allowed to be discussed in closed session, it should have to stay in closed session…. Read More »
Texas SB 1173 Doubles Competitive Bidding Threshold
Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1173, raising the competitive bidding threshold for local governments from $50,000 to $100,000 effective September 1, 2025. This means cities, counties, school districts, and other local entities can now make purchases or enter into contracts up to $100,000 without having to go through a formal… Read More »
ALERT: New Open Meetings Act Notice Deadline
Once upon a time, municipalities and other entities subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act (the “Act”) were required to post notice of their meetings seventy-two (72) hours prior to the date and time of the actual meeting. This meant that an entity with regularly scheduled Monday night meetings would be perfectly in compliance… Read More »
AI Confidential (PART 2): Navigating Potential Issues When Using Artificial Intelligence Tools in Closed Meetings
In Part 1 of this article, we explored the possibilities, advantages, and legal challenges Texas cities face when using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to aid municipal record-keeping processes and workflows for public meetings. We determined that such AI tools likely comply with legal standards and requirements, so long as cities establish reasonable policies and… Read More »
Sparklers and Statutes: Your Legal Guide to Holiday Fireworks
Today, June 2nd, marks the final day of the Texas Legislature’s session, meaning Texas is safe for another two years. This day also marks 72 years since Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen. In 32 days, we can shoot off fireworks celebrating the 4th of July and our independence from British rule, and in… Read More »