Cyber Corner: Have you completed your required cybersecurity training?
Texas law requires city officials and employees who have access to a local government computer system and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties to take a Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) certified cybersecurity course by August 31, 2023. The TML Risk Pool provides three DIR-certified options available free of charge. DIR also provides a training video and a list of other certified providers. Once all required staff have completed training, the city should complete the Cybersecurity Training Certification for Local Governments form on the DIR website.
Updates and More
Risk Pool Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
The Pool will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at the 2023 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition in Dallas. We hope you can join us for one or more of our events. Here’s a brief update on all Pool events taking place October 4-5.
Wednesday, October 4
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Member Reception – Omni Dallas Hotel, Dallas Ballroom D-H
Hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, and cash bar
Thursday, October 5
7:30-8:45 a.m.
Risk Pool Breakfast – Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Exhibit Hall F
Introduction by Chair Dennis, comments by the executive director, presentation of the Partnership Award, and a 50thanniversary commemorative video
3:30-4:45 p.m.
Concurrent Session: A Cybercriminal Tricked Me into Wiring Her $423,000 in City Funds. Now What? - Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Clear Fork Ballroom
Speakers: Ryan Burns, Cyber Risk Services Manager, TML Risk Pool; Austin Blees, City Manager, City of Jersey Village and TML Risk Pool Board Trustee (Place 4); Tony Sauerhoff, Deputy CISO and State Cybersecurity Coordinator, Texas Department of Information Resources
Risk Pool Trustees Recognized by Texas City Management Association
The Texas City Management Association (TCMA) recently named Opal Mauldin-Jones as President of the organization. She becomes the first African-American female in TCMA’s 97-year history to assume the presidency. Texas Government Insider had a feature article on Ms. Mauldin-Jones in its June 23 issue.
TCMA also bestowed several awards to Pool Trustees! Congratulations to the following:
Rickey Childers was awarded the TCMA Lifetime Achievement Award in June for his contributions to City Management over the last 20 years.
Chris Coffman and Mike Land also received their TCMA Service Awards. Chris received his 25-year award, and Mike received his 30-year award.
Former Trustee Ron Cox received the TCMA Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor. Only six other city managers have received this award, and Ron joins the company of George Schrader, Marvin Townsend, Terrell Blodgett, Tom Muehlenbeck, Gary Watkins, and Dan Johnson as the only recipients of this award in TCMA’s history.
Moving Right of Bang: Critical Incident Early Intervention Strategies
88th Regular Session Legislative Update for Risk Pool Members
After each legislative session, the Texas Municipal League’s legal staff prepares the “final wrap up” edition of the Legislative Update newsletter. The task is monumental. Probably no other advocacy organization goes to the same lengths to quickly and accurately prepare summaries of every city-related bill that passed.
Risk Pool staff has taken the liberty of preparing this abbreviated version that includes bills of most interest to TML Risk Pool Members. Pool staff has also included some additional commentary on certain bills based on the Pool general counsel’s legislative report to the Board of Trustees. Thanks to all for their efforts on behalf of Texas cities and the Pool.
Of most significant interest to Pool Members that employ first responders is the fact that the COVID-19 disease presumption law is expiring. The original bill contained a “sunset provision,” which provides that its presumption expires on September 1, 2023. During the 2023 legislative session, H.B. 2926 would have extended the expiration date to September 1, 2025. However, the bill failed to pass. Thus, come September 1, 2023, COVID-19 will be treated as an ordinary disease of life, which is not considered an occupational disease under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act.
Member Spotlight: City of Mesquite Partnership Award
The purpose of the TML Risk Pool’s Partnership Award is to recognize and reinforce member contributions to the community and to the Pool. These contributions must align with Risk Pool’s Core Values and assist with promoting and building on the understanding that the Pool is a partnership of local governments in Texas. The Pool’s latest recipient is the City of Mesquite for the fire department’s effort to protect first responders from distracted drivers using a truck-mounted “attenuator,” i.e., crash barrier.
The new unit, called Blocker 4, provides a two-sectioned bumper between the vehicle and oncoming traffic when fully unfolded. In addition to providing a barricade for emergency responders and tow operators working the accident, the Scorpion-brand attenuator is designed to withstand crashes from passing motorists and to absorb most of the blow if struck.
Blocker 4 will operate out of Station 4 and will be used for emergency responses in Mesquite on Interstates 635, 20, 30, and U.S. Highway 80. The new equipment was purchased using grant funds, and the City purchased the 25-foot T270 Kenworth truck for $120,000, approved by city council over a year ago. Scott Houston, the Pool’s Intergovernmental Relations Manager, presented the award to the Mesquite City Council on August 21, 2023, and will present it again at the Pool’s breakfast at the TML Annual Conference in October.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that requires covered employers (generally including private and public sector employers with at least 15 employees) to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an “undue hardship.”
The PWFA applies only to accommodations. Existing laws make it illegal to fire or otherwise discriminate against workers on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
The PWFA became effective on June 27, 2023. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) is required to issue regulations to carry out the law. The EEOC will issue a proposed version of the PWFA regulations so the public can give their input and offer comments before the regulations become final.
Interested local officials can learn more about the law and how to comment on the proposed rules here.
