The City has actively monitored potential legislation considered by the Texas Legislature for many years. In 2006, the City Manager expanded the program with the creation of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) to better equip our City to respond to legislation that directly impacts our residents either financially or from a quality-of-life perspective. This is done by means of greater participation in the legislative process, forming alliances, and communicating directly with state-elected leaders and their staff.

Accordingly, as part of the City’s IGR program, the City Council prepares a legislative agenda to provide state-elected leaders with the City Council’s position on legislative topics that will be discussed and debated during the upcoming biennium. The Legislative Agenda is the backbone of all efforts contained within our legislative program.

The City’s legislative program is based on three (3) pillars: 1) expert opinion, 2) community input, and 3) City Council direction. Development of the Legislative Agenda begins in April and concludes in October of even-numbered years. The agenda is reviewed by a citizens task force, a City Council subcommittee, and then by City Council in a public forum. We strive to provide a legislative agenda that is as transparent as it is comprehensive.

The 2023-2024 State Legislative Agenda focuses on several key priorities, including:

• Supporting legislation that allows for locally elected officials to make decisions that are beneficial to the interests of City residents;
• Opposing legislation that is detrimental to the City’s ability to pursue citizen priorities or respond to local citizen concerns; and
• Supporting legislation that reduces the overall tax burden on residents and businesses without reducing vital funding for critical public safety services and other services on which residents depend on and expect.

In preparation for the 88th State Legislative Session, City Council created the 2022 Legislative Citizens Task Force (LTF) to provide a valuable public engagement component to the creation of the legislative agenda. It is comprised of 13 members of the public representing various interests throughout the community. Those interests include: independent homeowners, Home Owner’s Associations, business interests, boards and commissions, graduates from Sugar Land 101, and students.

The LTF reviewed many of the City’s legislative position statements and aided in the creation of several new positions related to mass violence/active shooter incidents, catalytic converter thefts, and solid waste franchise fees. On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee received a report of the LTF’s findings and reviewed new preliminary position statements.

The draft was reviewed by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.