Irving Legislative Insider

The City of Irving’s Legislative Insider program seeks to empower the city to make local decisions that protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents. Actively monitoring federal and state legislation ensures the city can advocate, respond and/or oppose measures that might diminish the city’s ability to function effectively or erode its authority to govern over its own local affairs in the best interest of residents, businesses and visitors. During the 2019 Texas legislative session, out of the over 7,500 bills introduced, more than 2,000 pieces of legislation filed affected cities in some way.

Community leaders, partner organizations, residents and businesses can receive alerts and updates about proposed state legislation and the potential impact on local communities.

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News Updates

Legislature Close to Enacting Laws that Restrict City Authority

The Texas Legislature will vote in the next few days on legislation that would restrict the city’s ability to enforce zoning and development rules, including what can be built in residential areas. Read on...
Legislation Affecting Residential Zoning Passes from Committee

Bills that would require smaller lots in residential areas and that would allow additional residential structures in existing back yards passed committees in the Texas House last week. Read on...
Mayors Weigh In on HB 2127, Voice Concerns Over Local Control

The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, is being considered today in Austin. Read Mayor Rick Stopfer’s co-authored article in the Dallas Morning News to learn more about how this bill may impact municipalities in Texas. Read on...

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Legislative Affairs Office

The City of Irving’s Legislative Affairs office advocates, coordinates and advances the city’s legislative agenda to enhance Irving’s ability to govern and provide essential municipal and community services. The purpose of the program is to ensure the city’s interests are protected and enhanced through active involvement in the legislative process and strong intergovernmental relationships. Irving engages legislators and agency representatives at all levels, and does so with the assistance of legislative consultants. The city’s legislative efforts include providing written responses and in-person testimony to the state legislature by City Council members and city staff on issues important to the community.

The Irving City Council adopted its priorities for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on Nov. 10. The program guides city elected officials, staff and consultants to determine what positions the city should take as legislation is filed.

The city’s legislative program priorities were identified through input from city staff, legislative consultants, other professional organizations and input provided by the City Council. Adoption of a legislative program identifies issues that are important to the city and establishes a unified voice for Irving on the legislative needs of the community. The legislative items are not presented in priority order and the City Council may modify or amend its legislative agenda at any time to address items as they arise.