December 18, 2015

Open Carry and Contracts Disclosure Laws Effective January 1
Open Carry Update: Texas' much anticipated "open carry law" will become effective on January 1, 2016. The law modifies the current concealed handgun license law that has been in place since 1995. It eliminates the concealed/open carry distinction, and it creates a "license to carry a handgun." ...read more

Mandatory Eminent Domain Reporting
Senate Bill 1812, passed during the 2015 legislative session, requires cities to fill out a web-based form with the comptroller relating to each city's statutory eminent domain authority. ...read more

Get Involved: TML Legislative Policy Committees
Your involvement in the development of the Texas Municipal League's 2017-2018 Legislative Program is critical to the League's success. The program is the "roadmap" by which League staff lobbies the Texas Legislature. ...read more
The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative Board (known as BuyBoard) has announced distribution of approximately $5.8 million to 981 of its members. This is a result of continuing growth in the Cooperative's annual purchasing volume and membership, and brings the total amount rebated to members to just over $26 million since 2006. The Cooperative is endorsed by the Texas Association of Counties, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Boards, and TML. Hundreds of vendors and thousands of items, from copier paper to fire trucks, are posted on the BuyBoard.

Read more here.

For almost 15 years, TML has partnered with a city in Texas to host a two-day, statewide Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) Summit. The summit is an opportunity for cities, schools, and local youth groups to share the experiences of their programs, and the positive impact they have on their community. It provides a fun environment for youth and city leaders to learn from and work with each other. Adults and students leave with a greater appreciation of their own programs, and new ideas to inspire their enthusiasm and success. 

The City of Pearland is hosting the 2016 YAC Summit on February 20-21, 2016. The summit's theme--Olympiad: Training for a Stronger Future--aims to inspire future leaders to dream big and think outside of the box through life lessons, practical advice, team-building exercises, and of course, laughter! 

Register for the 2016 YAC Summit.

Is your city making strides in litter prevention, beautification, or waste reduction? Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is kicking off its 2016 awards season, and invites you to apply for the Governor's Community Achievement Award (GCAA). The 10 winning communities will share two million dollars in landscaping awards. Whether you're a first-time applicant or you need a refresher, KTB has an online toolkit to help you with the application process. Topics include tips and tools for writing award applications, understanding the judging process, and how to organize and present your community's award application. The application deadline is February 9, 2016.

TML has launched a new training option that gives city officials another way to access training - online and on demand. TML On Demand allows you to view previously recorded League trainings (webinars and videos) at your convenience. 

Are you short a few continuing education units (CEUs) to earn your Texas Municipal League Institute (TMLI) award designation? With TML On Demand, elected officials from TML member cities can earn up to 14 CEUs per year for recorded sessions toward their TMLI certification. Watch a free webinar from the comfort of your home, or gather your colleagues in a meeting room and view a fee-based webinar.

Learn more about TML On Demand.
 
TML Has an Instagram Account!
Instagram is a free social networking app, available through the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Windows Phone Store, that is designed for sharing photos and videos. TML launched its community-themed Instagram account in early December. We are looking for photos taken by you that showcase your city's programs or services, unique characteristics, or community events and celebrations. We'll feature these photos on Instagram and highlight the best each month in Texas Town & City magazine.

Send your photos with a brief photo description to Jennifer Stamps at [email protected].

2016
Jan 25
Regional Officer Training
Webinar
Jan 27
Region 11 Meeting
Edna
Jan 28
Region 2 Meeting
Amarillo
2016
Jan 28-29
Feb 3
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association: TxPELRA
Bastrop
Feb 4-5
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association: Civil Service
Bastrop
Feb 11-12
TCAA 17th Annual Riley Fletcher Basic Municipal Law Seminar
Austin
Feb 18-20
TML-TAMCC Elected Officials' Conference
Bastrop
Feb 20-21
Texas Youth Advisory Commission Summit
Pearland
Feb 25-26
Texas City Management Clinic
Granbury
Mar 3
Social Media and Your City: Possibilities, Policies, and Pitfalls
Webinar
Mar 10-11
Public Funds Investment Act
Austin
Mar 18
TML Small Cities' Problem-Solving Clinic
Tom Bean
Mar 31-Apr 1
Texas City Management Association William "King" Cole Session 2 - Advanced
Addison
Apr 1
Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop
Bastrop
Apr 8
Apr 17-20
Government Finance Officers Association Spring Institute
Austin
Apr 22
Public Officials Liability Workshop
Austin 
May 4-6
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Annual Conference
Fort Worth
May 11-13
Texas Municipal Utilities Association Annual Conference
Kerrville
May 12-13
Grant Writing for Municipal Programs and Projects
Dallas 
May 18-20TML Leadership Academy - Course 1
Round Rock 
Jun 8-10
Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Annual Conference
Arlington
Jun 9
Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop
Bastrop
Jun 9-12
Texas City Management Association Annual Conference
South Padre Island
Jun 15-17
Texas City Attorneys Association Summer Conference
Bastrop
June 15-17TML Leadership Academy - Course 2
Round Rock 
Jun 23-24
Public Funds Investment Act
Austin
Jul 28-29
Newly Elected City Officials' Orientation
Granbury
Aug 2-5
Building Officials Association of Texas Annual Conference
Sugar Land
Aug 18-19
Newly Elected City Officials' Orientation
San Antonio
Oct 4-7
TML Annual Conference and Exhibition
Austin
Oct 26-28
Government Finance Officers Association Fall Conference
Arlington

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Texas Municipal League
1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78754
Phone: 512-231-7400
Fax: 512-231-7495

 

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