College Station Writes Its Playbook for the 2027 Legislature, Months Early

The City Council unanimously adopted the city's legislative program for the 90th session of the Texas Legislature on Thursday, months earlier than in past sessions, and with more machinery behind it than the city has ever had.

The program is the document that states the council's agreed policy on legislative issues and authorizes staff to engage with elected officials within its guidelines, Ross Brady, chief of staff in the city manager's office, told the council.

Why now

Brady said the early timing is deliberate: this is the window when legislators decide what they will draft and file for the session.

The city also has, for the first time, a legislative engagement committee, which has met quarterly with members of the area's state delegation during the interim, surveyed the public on legislative issues, launched a website to show residents what the city is working on, and explored software to track legislation through the session. The survey responses were provided to the council in its agenda packet.

What might get added

The mayor praised the committee's work and suggested staff consider two additions during the fall: something on safe-passing and bike-safety legislation, and something related to water supply funding.

The bike-safety suggestion had a direct echo earlier in the evening, when cyclists used the public comment period to ask the council for a local safe-passing ordinance, with a minimum three-foot passing distance for cars and six feet for trucks, along with a resolution supporting a statewide safe-passing law.

Council members also clarified how the program works in practice: a member may speak personally on any issue at the Capitol, but anyone representing the council must represent the council's adopted position.

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/live/mS3vwka4aTs

https://www.cstx.gov/news/posts/5-things-to-watch-at-thursdays-city-council-meeting-aug-13