You will want to pay very close attention to three bicameral bills currently under consideration in the Texas Legislature.
There is House Bill 2127, “Relating to state preemption of and the effect of certain state or federal law on certain municipal and county regulation.” This is mirrored by Senate Bill 814.
This was recently amended by House Bill 4930, “Relating to the adoption of a climate policy in a municipal charter.” Sponsored by State Rep. Tom Craddick (R), this will require that any city climate charter be approved by the appropriate state agency before it can be voted upon locally. Moreover, any climate charter (including possibly ours) that is adopted before this law goes into effect will be subject to state review no later than January 1, 2025. This is mirrored by Senate Bill 1860.
In addition, there is House Bill 2374, “Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate an energy source or engine.” This is mirrored by Senate Bill 1017.
Clearly, the Texas Legislature is not going to put up with any local climate charter that threatens to damage our economy through excessive regulations and unreasonable mandates.
In the unlikely event that Proposition K were to pass in El Paso, Austin would step in very quickly and force its repeal, if it doesn’t get squashed first by an avalanche of lawsuits from the energy industry.
So far, the El Paso Inc is the only local media outlet to so much as mention any of this pending legislation.
Enjoy your evening,
Max