Author Archives: Byron L. Brown
A Handy List of Texas Open Meetings Act Suspensions, Illustrated
On March 16, 2020, the Governor of the State of Texas temporarily suspend a limited number of open meeting laws in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disaster declared by the Governor on March 13, 2020. The suspensions are in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor, or until the March 13, 2020… Read More »
Can You Hear Me Now? How to Define a Public Hearing in Texas
In the United States, where the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, the opportunity for public input is cherished and revered not only on election day but also throughout the legislative process. In Texas, for example, the Legislature has recently enacted a statute requiring governmental bodies — other than those… Read More »
Bracket Bill: How the 2020 Census May Change Which Texas Laws Apply to a City
The year is 2020. Jokes about Barbara Walters are timely; jokes about hindsight are not. Also, this new year comes with a few other new things in tow: a new decade, new Olympics, a new presidential election, and a new census. It’s that last one I mostly want to talk about today. Another attorney… Read More »
When You Wish Upon, or Name, a Star for Christmas
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I inevitably start hearing advertisements for an odd sort of gift: “name a star after someone.” Perhaps you’ve begun hearing these advertisements, too, and perhaps you’ve even gone and named a star after someone. Naming a star after someone is certainly a unique gift, especially for a… Read More »
Dead Law: How Void, Repealed or Superseded Laws Can Rise Again
Well, it’s Halloween again, and I usually like to get into the spirit of the season—pun intended—by writing a blog on an eerie topic. This year, I’m channeling something from beyond the grave. It’s faint but getting stronger. Yes, I can sense it clearly now. It’s…it’s…dead law! Okay, so it’s not the spirit of… 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 »
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 »
Fourth of July and the Law of Fireworks
When you hear “Independence Day,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a myriad of things—cookouts, swimming, tricorn hats, Old Glory, alien invasions—but I’d bet one of the top things most people think of is fireworks. After all, is there a better way to celebrate anything than to set off a series of colorful, controlled explosions?… Read More »
Summertime in Texas: The Law of the Mosquitoes
Ah, summer. And you know what that means: mosquitoes. Okay, so summer doesn’t officially start until the summer solstice on June 21, but the mosquitoes don’t know that, nor do they care. Many otherwise pleasant outdoor evenings have been ruined by these tiny pests. They’re so troublesome, in fact, that they’ve raised the ire… Read More »
Who Decides the Width of a Residential Street and What If It’s Insufficient?
Quick question: how wide is the street you live on? I would hazard to guess that most people don’t know the exact width of their street, but they could probably tell you if it’s wide enough for two cars to pass each other without either having to yield when a car is parked on… Read More »