Yearly Archives: 2019
Short-Term Rentals in Texas – Can Cities Regulate Airbnb?
Over the past few years, short-term rentals (STRs) such as Airbnb have spread like wildfire. Many people have benefited from this service whether finding a room for the night or making a few extra bucks by renting out extra space. Looking at the situation in its most narrow form, the homeowner makes a little… Read More »
What… This Old Thing? Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax and Historic Preservation
As most Texans already know, the population in our great state has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade. In 2017, it was estimated that Texas was growing by more than 1,000 people per day, which was the largest number of any state in the country. This unprecedented growth in population is… Read More »
Cities in a Storm: How Cities in Texas Prepare for Protests, Disasters and Disturbances
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment rights are held… Read More »
Maintenance Check: Keeping Your City on Schedule for Required Actions
Most people probably know that cars have a maintenance schedule, which includes things such as oil changes and tire rotations, but did you know that cities have a maintenance schedule, too? State law requires cities to review, renew, renegotiate, or otherwise revisit certain things every so often, usually for the sake of government openness… Read More »
Vaping Lounge, Hookah Bar and Tobacco Sales Regulation by City Ordinance
Many Texas cities have ordinances on their books that regulate or even prohibit shops that sell tobacco and tobacco products. Recently, however, new types of shops have popped up, calling themselves “hookah bars” and “vape lounges.” They have become so popular that Governor Greg Abbott recently signed into law a bill that raises the… Read More »
A Growing Problem: Distinguishing Between Hemp and Marijuana under Texas Law
The laws surrounding hemp and marijuana have become increasingly convoluted in recent years. What’s legal in one state isn’t necessarily legal in another. Then last year, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law. The bill legalized hemp products federally and gave the primary authority to the individual States to develop State plans… Read More »
Strengthening Cybersecurity for Municipalities in Texas is Now a Mandate
Sunday, September 1st, opens dove season in the north zone in Texas, college football will have started, and new laws go into effect in Texas. That priority is intentional! One new bill mandates that cities train their personnel in cybersecurity every year. Of course, this is an unfunded mandate but still good policy. House… Read More »
Texas Public Information Act Requests During Times of Catastrophe: Senate Bill 494
Many new laws that impact Texas cities will be taking effect come September 1, 2019. Some of these new laws have a positive impact on our municipalities, and naturally some have a negative impact. One new law that will be very helpful for Texas cities is Senate Bill 494. This Bill addresses emergency situations… Read More »
Texas Law Changes to Provide Alcohol “To Go,” Plus Beer & Wine Delivery
It has been in the news, been written about and the word is out. Starting September 1st, the laws in Texas will allow beer and wine “to go”. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (“TABC”) received a fair amount of attention this past legislature with too many updates to count, and a review and revision… Read More »
Unappealing Easements: the Tale of the Green Utility Monument
For the past ten years, there has been only one cable and internet provider servicing my neighborhood, with the exception of satellite options. This effective monopoly resulted in a perception of poor service at high prices, and my neighbors have long dreamt of another provider coming into our area, injecting a little competition into… Read More »