Council adopts 2025 legislative agenda; flags land‑use preemption and unfunded mandates

The Grapevine City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-001, the city’s legislative agenda for the upcoming Texas legislative session. Jennifer Hibbs presented the agenda and emphasized a consistent focus on preserving local control, avoiding unfunded state mandates, and monitoring bills that could preempt municipal land‑use authority.

Hibbs told the council that thousands of bills are typically filed in a session and that Grapevine’s agenda emphasizes local control and outreach to legislators. She said the city has particular concerns about land‑use bills that could preempt local authority on minimum lot sizes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and short‑term rentals; those topics are explicitly included in the agenda so staff can coordinate with legislators and the Texas Municipal League (TML).

Council members asked about unfunded mandates. Staff replied that such mandates sometimes pass despite opposition and that the city will monitor filings and pursue communications and grant opportunities when possible. The council approved the resolution on a voice vote; the public transcript did not show a roll-call tally.

Staff said adoption would kick off the city’s communication plan with state legislators and local stakeholder groups and that council members would be able to testify in Austin if they choose.