House Committee on Land and Resource Management - 85th R.S. (2017)
Committee Members
- Abel Herrero, Chair
- Cecil Bell, Jr., Vice Chair
- Ernest Bailes
- César Blanco
- Wayne Faircloth
- Matt Krause
- Lynn Stucky
Charges
- Review the General Land Office's (GLO) role and efforts during the recovery period following Hurricane Harvey. Examine the state's readiness and protocols in response to storm-related natural disasters. Provide an assessment of public lands and make recommendations on future and ongoing mitigation strategies regarding state assets.
- Review local and state zoning and land use regulations. Determine if current rules provide an adequate balance of disaster preparedness and deference to private property rights.
- Examine Texas’ eminent domain statutes to ensure a balance between necessary infrastructure growth and fair compensation for landowners. Review available public information and data relating to the compensation provided to private property owners. Make recommendations to improve the accountability, as well as successful development, of the entities granted eminent domain authority.
- Study the State Power Program operated by the GLO, and interlocal agreements authorized under Government Code Chapter 791, to ensure accountability and transparency in program administration. Evaluate program offerings to public customers as compared to those available in the retail electric market, as well as the State Power Program's contribution to other state programs. Make reform recommendations and analyze potential impacts to program beneficiaries.
- Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the Committee will also specifically review the municipal practices developed as a result of the passage of S.B. 6 during the 85th First Called Session, as well as the ongoing effects on property owners.
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