City governments will likely see their freedoms to increase property taxes curtailed next year, while local law enforcement representatives are concerned about possibly having to enforce federal immigration law, Missouri City City Council members were told Monday night.

During a special meeting of the city council, Austin attorney Karen Kennard updated council members with what has been happening at the Capitol with bills that would affect local governments if passed.

Kennard said some version of Senate Bill 2, the controversial legislation that would require voter approval for property tax increases over 5 percent, seems likely to become law. Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton introduced a House version of the bill March 3, and it has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, which Bonnen chairs.

“House members are believing they need to do something about property taxes being too high,” Kennard said. “It seems that something is probably going to pass.”

Meanwhile SB 4, sometimes called the “anti-sanctuary cities” bill is being eyed by leaders of local enforcement because of its potentially “far reaching” effects on municipal police forces, Kennard said.

If passed, SB 4 would require local law enforcement to honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests, in cases of suspected illegal aliens. As of now, such requests may be denied.

The bill would also ban local bodies from enacting policies or laws prohibiting police from asking about someone's immigration status if they have been stopped with probable cause.

“How are they [police] going to decide who to ask, because we’re all from somewhere else?” asked Council Member Jerry Wyatt.

Kennard acknowledged Wyatt’s concern, telling the council that a number of officials in law enforcement have asked similar questions of legislators.

“The concern of many mayors and police chiefs was how to counterbalance asking people for immigration status while adhering to the laws against racial profiling,” she said.

The bill penalizes cities when complaints are filed accusing officers of not checking into a person’s immigration status, she said.

Kennard said vote deadlines are coming up for the House and Senate, and legislators are working to move their favored bills forward.

“The next 45 days will be fast and furious,” she said.