City commissioners in Harlingen have passed an ordinance governing public comment periods during meetings. This new ordinance replaces a 20-year-old resolution that had more restrictive rules. The city's attorney noted that the new rules are less restrictive than those in the past and in other cities.

The previous resolution had prohibitions that have been removed. Further details about the ordinance and its implications are available from the city. Residents had been actively participating in public comment periods for weeks, leading up to the passage of the new ordinance.