Senator: Make Texas more like Austin, for dogs

Republicans in the Legislature have long had a fondness for targeting Austin, taking steps over the years to strike down the liberal city's policies on paid sick leave, grocery bag bans, tree-cutting limits and much more.

So when Sen. Kelly Hancock, a conservative Republican in good standing, files a bill that specifically mirrors an Austin regulation — and praises the capital city while he's at it — it's time to sit up and take notice.

Hancock's Senate Bill 476 would let restaurants across the state admit patrons and their well-behaved dogs to patios, sidewalk cafes and other outdoor seating areas. Calling it the Fido-Friendly Outdoor Dining Act, Hancock says the bill closely mirrors Austin's "relatively permissive" restaurant regulations.

"On a nice day, there's not much that beats finding an outdoor patio and enjoying a meal with friends or family," said Hancock, whose district sits between Fort Worth and Dallas. "For many Texans, dogs are part of the family, and restaurants that want to welcome them in outside areas should be able to do that."

Austin has allowed restaurants to offer outdoor seating to patrons and their dogs since 2006, as long as the pets can get there without walking through the restaurant interior, the pup stays on a leash and doesn't sit in a chair, and no food is prepared on the patio. A conspicuous sign stating that dogs are allowed also is required.

Hancock's legislation includes the same limits.

But the bill would also overturn city regulations that impose more stringent rules on dog-friendly restaurants, such as Dallas requirements for self-closing patio doors, frequent mopping and a $264 fee for a dog variance, or San Antonio rules requiring hand sanitizer at all exits, a $200 application fee and a $50 annual fee.

Restaurants should be able to welcome dog-loving patrons "without having to worry about extra expenses and over-the-top government regulation," Hancock said.

Austin's dog-friendly regulations were adopted relatively quickly, at least for a City Council that seems to thrive on extended debate.

In February 2006, then-Council Members Jennifer Kim and Lee Leffingwell — with leashed dogs in hand — called a press conference to announce their intention to let restaurants admit dogs to outdoor areas without losing points that could lead to a health inspection failure.

Pet owners rallied to the cause, overwhelming a few skeptics who raised concerns about hair and other unsanitary leavings, and the City Council approved the change less than one month later.

The Round Rock City Council voted to allow dogs in outdoor eating areas in 2016.