The Texas Municipal League (TML) has a membership of 1,150 cities and exists solely to provide services to Texas cities. TML is an effective organization for Texas municipalities, both large and small, with regard to advocating positions on pending legislation to members of both the Texas Legislature and Congress. The organization employs full-time attorneys who are available to provide advice and information on municipal legal matters. TML sponsors conferences and educational events and publishes informational materials to keep members apprised of current issues affecting municipal government.
During the last regular legislative session, TML continued its role as spokesman for cities. Approximately 7,500 bills were filed with more than 2,000 of those directly impacting cities in Texas in the regular session. TML reads and analyzes each bill and meets with the cities each week during the regular session to coordinate testimony and strategize with a focus on defeating legislation that would erode municipal authority and local control or that would otherwise be detrimental to cities.
TML advocates for cities on a wide range of issues, including transportation, water, economic development, and job creation.
During the interim, TML monitors and advises cities on all interim committees and issues.
City staff members are represented at policy meetings. The City also has representation on the Executive Board of Directors.
TML hosted its annual conference in Houston in 2017 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Attendance was estimated at more than 4,000 with an approximate $2,884,712.00 positive impact on our local economy. The conference returns to Houston in 2021.
Membership dues reflect an increase of $4,946 over last year and are based on population. Membership renewal with the Texas Municipal League is recommended.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY20 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
__________________________________________
Bill Kelly, Director of Government Relations