House Committee on Appropriations - 87th R.S. (2021)
Committee Members
- Greg Bonnen, Chair
- Mary González, Vice Chair
- Trent Ashby
- Cecil Bell, Jr.
- Giovanni Capriglione
- Jay Dean
- Alex Dominguez
- Gary Gates
- Justin Holland
- Donna Howard
- Jarvis Johnson
- Julie Johnson
- Ann Johnson
- Ina Minjarez
- Geanie Morrison
- John Raney
- Toni Rose
- Matt Schaefer
- Carl Sherman, Sr.
- Lynn Stucky
- Ed Thompson
- Steve Toth
- Gary VanDeaver
- Armando Walle
- Terry Wilson
- Gene Wu
- Erin Zwiener
Charges
- Monitor the distribution of federal pandemic recovery funds to state and local governments, including compliance with any requirements or restrictions associated with the possible uses of those funds. Assess the impact of these funds and their use on the state budget and the Texas economy as a whole.
- Review the ongoing development of federal rules and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations on whether and how these federal funds can be used to respond to the recent increase in migration along the Texas-Mexico border.
- Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
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Monitor and oversee the implementation of appropriations bills and other relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature, including the following:
- SB 1 87th R.S., General Appropriations Act;
- HB 5 87th 2nd C.S., and SB 8 87th 3rd C.S., relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving direction regarding appropriations; and
- SB 52 87th 3rd C.S., relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education.
- Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
- Evaluate the history of appropriations from General Revenue-Dedicated Accounts 5010 (Sexual Assault Fund) and 0469 (Crime Victims Compensation Fund). Consider whether revenue sources for these accounts are sufficient to maintain historical commitments to victims services grants.
- Monitor efforts by the Department of Family and Protective Services to implement Section 11, HB 5 87th 2nd C.S., relating to foster care capacity improvement.
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Review the information technology (IT) supporting the Texas Medicaid Program. Evaluate the IT systems' capability to meet the needs of Texas Medicaid to ensure the Health and Human Services Commission’s acquisition and procurement processes comply with the requirements of SB 1 87th R.S.Rider 6 (Health and Human Services Commission), relating to Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership); Section 9.01 (Purchases of Information Resources Technologies); and Section 9.02 (Quality Assurance Review of Major Information Resources Projects). Identify ways to:
- Modernize systems and improve interoperability between systems;
- Ensure IT functionality is aligned with the needs of the Medicaid Program, including conformity to the managed care model;
- Reduce administrative burdens;
- Provide cost savings;
- Improve future procurements; and
- Create better transparency and oversight of Medicaid IT contracts.
- Review the utilization by the Texas Education Agency and local school districts of federal dollars appropriated from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds made available by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No. 116-260) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law. 117-2) to address students’ instructional loss and mental health challenges.
- Make funding recommendations for the phased installation of climate control equipment in state correctional facilities, prioritizing facilities that serve vulnerable populations.
- Examine the long-term capital needs of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, including deferred maintenance and planned land acquisitions for new state park land.
- Monitor the use of appropriated funds by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) from the Flood Infrastructure Fund. Examine the criteria used by TWDB in making loan and grant awards and any unintended consequences that limit the competitiveness of projects in certain communities.
- Monitor the Strategic Fiscal Review process and the agencies currently undergoing evaluation.
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