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22 Document(s) [ Subject: Investment of public funds ]

Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bail | Border security | Coronavirus | Economy | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal funds | Harris County | Homestead exemptions | Hospitals | Inflation | Investment of public funds | Long-term care | Medicaid | Mental health services | Nursing homes | Operation Lone Star (Border security) | Property tax exemptions | Property taxes | Public retirement systems | Recidivism | Retirees | Russia | School finance | State employee salaries | State employee turnover | Tax and expenditure limits | Tax revenue | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 F49
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [108 pages  File size: 4,001 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Federal Funds: Report on the state use of federal COVID-19 relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, and similar federal legislation. Examine local use of federal relief funding, including funding provided to school districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Evaluate the overall fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state agencies, including costs incurred due to federal mandates. Identify barriers to the effective utilization of funds and make recommendations on the expenditure of unappropriated funds. In addition, evaluate and report on the spending by state agencies that have been utilizing "one-time" federal funding (temporary enhancements, e.g. FMAP and ESSER) sources, where federal funding will likely be significantly reduced in future biennia.
2. Property Tax Relief: Examine and recommend ways to reduce Texans' property tax burden. Review and report on proposals to use or dedicate state revenues in excess of the state spending limit to eliminate the school district maintenance and operations property tax.
3. Inflation: Review and report on the effect inflation is having on the business community and state government, including state salaries, retiree benefits, the state economy, and cost of state services.
4. Inflation: Review and report on the impact of inflation on units of local governments' revenue collections and property taxpayers' tax bills, including the homestead exemption.
5. Tax Exemptions: Examine Texans' current tax exemptions and report on whether adjustments are merited because of inflation or any other factors.
6. Russia Divestiture: Examine and report on options for state asset owners to divest their positions in companies that invest in the Russian Federation.
7. State Pension Reforms: Monitor the implementation of recent statewide pension reforms to the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
8. Bail Bond Reform: Monitor the implementation of recent bail bond reform legislation along with its economic impact on the judicial and correctional system. Assess any barriers to implementation, the law’s effect on pretrial release and jail populations, and ways to further promote public safety and efficiency.
9. Operation Lone Star: Monitor appropriations and spending supporting Operation Lone Star. Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of spending to secure the southern border. Identify and report on resources needed to ensure support for the State National Guard, as well as overall resources necessary for border security for future legislative consideration.
10. Long-term Care Funding: Examine state investments in the long-term nursing home care system. Study nursing facility funding issues and the impact of the pandemic on capacity and delivery of care. Explore nursing facility quality metrics and recommend strategies to improve the sustainability of the long-term care workforce.
11. Medicaid: Monitor the financial impact of federal decision-making affecting supplemental Medicaid funding for Texas hospitals and health care systems, including negotiations between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Texas Medicaid agency regarding the state's 1115 Medicaid waiver and other federal proposals reducing supplemental funding streams for Texas.
12. Mental Health Delivery: Examine the state mental health service delivery system. Study the state's Comprehensive Plan for State-Funded Inpatient Mental Health Services and the Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan and evaluate the existing state investments in mental health services and state hospital capacity. Review current forensic and civil mental health service waitlists, and recommend ways to improve coordination and outcomes to reduce waitlists. Explore and report on options for additional mental health service capacity, including building state hospitals in the Panhandle and Rio Grande Valley areas.
Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Financial investments | Foreign investments | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program | Investment of public funds | Job training programs | Permanent University Fund | Russia | School discipline | Student aid | Teacher retention | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | University finance | Veterans | Workforce |
Library Call Number: L1836.88 Ed84hh
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [98 pages  File size: 10,030 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • SB 1102, 87th R.S. relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce education; and
  • SB 1295, 87th R.S. relating to financial support and incentives for comprehensive regional universities.
2. Review progress toward the goals of the 60x30TX plan, including institutional strategies for responding to changing workforce needs and demands, including workforce education, industry certification, and degree programs to address healthcare shortages.
3. Examine factors that have contributed to the rising costs of higher education, including the effect of statutory tuition and fee waivers and exemptions, the cost of compliance with state and federal mandates, and the increase in the number of non-faculty staff. Make recommendations for controlling these costs and ensuring a sound fiscal approach to managing college affordability for the future.
4. Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state. (Joint Charge with Committee on Public Education)
5. Review the impact of investments of endowment and other trust funds, including the Permanent University Fund, by university systems and institutions of higher education in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance.
Committee: House International Relations and Economic Development
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border crossings | Border economy | Border issues | Child care | Coronavirus | Economic development incentives | Economy | Federal funds | International trade | Investment of public funds | Mexico | Russia | Semiconductor industry | Unemployment | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 EC74IR
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [44 pages  File size: 1,762 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the impact that trade across the Texas-Mexico border has on the Texas economy. Consider the impact of the recent increase in border migration on transnational trade, including its effects on the communities along the border, points of entry, and access by Texas businesses to supplies, labor, materials, and markets in Mexico. (Joint charge with Committee on Transportation)
2. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HB 619, 87th R.S., relating to developing a strategic plan to support the child-care workforce;
  • HB 1792, 87th R.S., relating to the evaluation of child-care providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program;
  • HB 2607, 87th R.S., relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Workforce Commission and local workforce development boards regarding the provision of childcare and the subsidized childcare program;
  • HB 3767, 87th R.S., relating to measures to support the alignment of education and workforce development with state workforce needs, including the establishment of the Tri- Agency Workforce Initiative; and
  • SB 1555, 87th R.S., relating to establishing reimbursement rates for certain child-care providers participating in the subsidized childcare program.
3. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
4. Monitor the state’s economic recovery and identify obstacles impeding the state’s economic recovery. Examine the economic impact of inflation on both employers and employees. Examine global supply chain disruptions on state commerce and the flow of trade at Texas ports. Explore opportunities to attract businesses to Texas that have outsourced elements of their supply chain to foreign countries.
5. Examine current economic development incentive programs and identify opportunities to enhance job creation in Texas. Make recommendations to promote transparency and enhance effectiveness of such programs.
6. Evaluate Texas’ current efforts to attract semiconductor investment to the state. Identify potential strengths and vulnerabilities that could impact the success of Texas’ semiconductor industry and the ability to create and maintain a reliable semiconductor supply chain.
7. Evaluate labor shortages and Texas’ unemployment numbers. Identify initiatives within the Texas Workforce Commission to expand job training and apprenticeship opportunities to help meet labor demands. Identify opportunities to increase outreach and information regarding career development.
8. Review the impact that trade with Russia has on the Texas economy, including Texas manufacturers. Consider the impact of Texas investment in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impacts of any proposed investment restrictions on access by Texas businesses and the Texas scientific and technological community to capital investment, global markets, and competitive knowledge.
Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abandoned oil wells | Boycotts | Carbon capture and sequestration | Economic development incentives | Emergency Management, Texas Division of | Fire prevention | Hotel occupancy taxes | Investment of public funds | Job training programs | Natural gas | Natural gas supplies | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Recycling | Tax incentives | Theft | Wildfires |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 N219e
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [70 pages  File size: 1,928 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Economic Development Programs: Review the programs in Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code. Consider the benefits of each program in generating economic development. Make recommendations for improvements to Chapters 380 and 381 to increase transparency and accountability and the effectiveness of the programs.
2. Hotel Occupancy Taxes: Study the collection and use of hotel occupancy taxes. Evaluate and make recommendations related to the effectiveness, costs of rebates, incentives, and other taxes applied to qualified hotel and convention center projects. Investigate and determine whether the creation of a standard Hotel Occupancy Tax legislative template is feasible, and whether it would enable the legislature to more efficiently evaluate proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax bills during the legislative session.
3. Natural Gas Storage: Study the economic benefits of expanding the state's underground natural gas storage capacity and infrastructure. Investigate and make recommendations for additional natural gas transportation opportunities.
4. Wildfires and Prescribed Burns: Examine ways to reduce the risk of and destructive impact of wildfires. Monitor the role the Prescribed Burning Board plays in controlled burns. Recommend practices and improvements that public and private landowners may use to reduce fire risks.
5. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development passed by the 87th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
  • SB 13, 87th R.S., Relating to state contracts with and investments in certain companies that boycott energy companies;
  • HB 1247, 87th R.S., Relating to the development of and report on a triagency work-based learning strategic framework by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
  • HB 1284, 87th R.S., Relating to the regulation of the injection and geologic storage of carbon dioxide in this state;
  • HB 3973, 87th R.S., Relating to a study on abandoned oil and gas wells in this state and the use of the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund; and
  • HB 4110, 87th R.S., Relating to the registration of metal recycling.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abortion | Biometric identification | Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Human trafficking | Investment of public funds | Licensing and Regulation, Texas Department of | Privacy | Public retirement systems | Sexually oriented businesses | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 St29a
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [36 pages  File size: 779 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Protecting the Unborn: Monitor the impact of SB 8, 87th R.S., The Texas Heartbeat Act, and the expanded funding for alternatives to abortion programs passed by the 87th Legislature. Study alternatives to abortion programs' effectiveness in meeting the needs of pregnant and post-partum women and recommend how the Legislature should strengthen the program. Recommend ways to provide additional alternatives to abortion and comprehensive informed consent resources to mothers who are expecting.
2. Human Trafficking: Examine opportunities and make recommendations to reduce the profitability of and demand for human trafficking in Texas. Determine ways to increase public awareness of the proliferation of human trafficking, as well as resources for victims and survivors. Monitor the implementation of HB 1540, 87th R.S., and examine changes in arrest rates, judicial dispositions, and sentencing amongst offenders due to provisions of the legislation. Examine opportunities for attorneys to combat human trafficking in their local communities, including use of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to generate revenue for local law enforcement officials combatting human trafficking. Make any other recommendations to further prevent human trafficking.
3. Privacy and Transparency: Review the current state laws that protect and secure individuals' biometric identifiers. Explore ways to protect against the use of biometric identifiers for unintended purposes without an individual's consent and make recommendations to the Senate. Study websites that closely resemble government websites or fraudulently represent companies that they are not, including websites that use names of state agencies or licenses. Make recommendations to ensure that Texans' are not mislead, taken advantage, or defrauded, especially when they try to seek assistance from a state website.
4. Investment Practices: Study the investment practices of financial services firms and how those practices affect the state’s public pensions. Make recommendations to ensure the state’s public pension funds are not being invested to further political or social causes.
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Business taxes | Community Development Block Grants | Computer networks | Disaster relief | Investment of public funds | Property taxes | State government contracts | Tax and expenditure limits | University finance | University research |
Library Call Number: L1836.86 F49
Session: 86th R.S. (2019)
Online version: View report [41 pages  File size: 3,210 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Investment of State Funds: Review the investment strategies and performance of funds invested through the Teacher Retirement System, the Permanent School Fund, and university funds. Make recommendations to better coordinate and leverage Texas' purchasing power to maximize investment income to the state.
2. Agency Technology: Review current and prospective technology related purchases and upgrades in state agencies. Identify areas of overlap and make recommendations to eliminate duplication, improve efficiency, save costs, and improve performance.
3. Spending Limit: Examine options and make recommendations for strengthening restrictions on appropriations established in Article VIII, Section 22, of the Texas Constitution, including related procedures defined in statute. Consider options for ensuring available revenues above spending limit are reserved for tax relief.
4. Higher Education Research Programs: Create a comprehensive list of research projects conducted by higher education institutions that are funded by state expenditures, including an inventory of funding streams and programs supporting identified research projects. Identify best practice methods to improve efficiency and coordination of research among university systems, eliminate duplication, and align research projects with the goals of the state.
5. Business Personal Property Tax: Study the economic dynamics of the current business personal property tax. Consider the economic and fiscal effects of increased exemptions to the business personal property tax, versus its elimination. Following such study, make recommended changes to law.
6. Natural Disaster Funding: Review federal, state, and local eligibility and receipt of disaster funds from Community Development Block Grants -Disaster Relief and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Identify any barriers to the effective utilization of those funds and recommend any changes to statute, rule, or practice to promote the efficient deployment of those funds and expedite recovery by affected citizens, businesses, and communities.
Committee: House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Attorney General of Texas | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Consumer protection | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Investment of public funds | Pension liabilities | Private retirement systems | Public retirement systems | Small businesses | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.86 P387
Session: 86th R.S. (2019)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 2,254 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HB 1442, which is the sunset bill for the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). The legislation contains provisions relating to the regulation of online lenders. Monitor the OCCC's rules regulating the online lending industry.
  • HB 2945, which relates to consumer protection against credit card skimmers. Monitor the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) rules, polices, and procedures regulating the payment terminals on motor fuel dispensers and credit card skimmer violations. Examine the process by which the OAG creates, manages, and utilizes the payment fraud fusion center.
  • SB 322, which relates to the evaluation and reporting of investment practices and performances of certain public retirement systems. Examine the process by which state agencies and public retirement systems collaborate on, plan, and implement the structure necessary to perform these evaluations.
  • SB 2224, which relates to requiring a public retirement system to adopt a written funding policy. Examine the process by which state agencies and public retirement systems collaborate on, plan, and implement the structure necessary to create sound and practical funding policies.
2. Monitor the Teacher Retirement System's (TRS) actions in implementing high deductible regional plans for certain school districts interested in providing alternatives to the current TRS Active Care options.
3. Study pension plan and personal retirement savings options for small businesses in order to be competitive with state and larger employers.
4. Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System and TRSpension funds. Examine the cost of and potential strategies for achieving and maintaining the actuarial soundness of the funds. Examine the effect the unfunded liabilities could have on the state's credit. Examine the state's investment policies and practices, including investment objectives, targets, disclosure policies, and transparency. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Appropriations)
5. Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report
Subjects: Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Financial investments | Frew lawsuits | Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Health insurance | Health insurance premium subsidies | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Highway finance | Investment of public funds | Iran | Medicaid | Medical reimbursements | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | State agency budgets | State government debt | State Health Services, Texas Department of | State supported living centers | Sudan | Tax incentives | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Southern University | Transportation, Texas Department of | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 F49
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [46 pages  File size: 698 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Provide effective budget oversight of state agencies to ensure that monies appropriated are spent wisely. Particular areas of focus will include the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of State Health Services coordination of Mental Health Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department revitalization of State Parks, Health and Human Services Commission management of Frew settlement agreement and waiting list slots, Department of Aging and Disability Services improvement of State Schools, Texas Department of Criminal Justice roll out of treatment programs and review of the salary career ladder for employees for retention purposes, Texas Youth Commission achievement of reform, Texas Southern University rehabilitation, Higher Education Coordinating Board implementation of incentive programs and the creation of the Texas Cancer Research and Prevention Institute.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing state tax incentives that encourage employers to provide health coverage to their employees, including tax incentives under the revised state business tax, and make recommendations for additional deductions or credits that increase the number of employees covered by health care insurance.
3. Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
4. Review Medicaid provider reimbursement rate methodologies, including the impact of factors such as infrastructure concerns, federal minimum wage changes, and cost reports. Study the impact on access to care, quality of care, and value, and make recommendations for legislative changes, taking into account rate increases contained in the current budget. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee)
5. Study and review state and local options for expanding transportation funding and explore options to reduce diversions of Fund 6 revenue. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security)
6. Study and make recommendations relating to whether the Texas Department of Transportation is in compliance with Transportation Code §201.109, Revenue Enhancement, and whether the Texas Department of Transportation is using the funding sources provided by the Legislature, including, but not limited to, General Obligation, Fund 6 and Mobility Fund bonds, to build new roads. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security)
7. Monitor and provide a brief update on the implementation of legislation addressed by the Finance Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve or enhance and complete implementation.
  • SB 247, 80th R.S., relating to Sudan divestment, and make recommendations about whether to include Iran in the divestment strategy;
  • SB1332, 80th R.S., to help improve the state's debt management and oversight, including a more comprehensive review of state debt and improved communication between entities and oversight of state bond issuance;
  • SB 10, 80th R.S., and the Frew settlement to ensure that the initiatives carried out by the Health and Human Services Commission affect meaningful improvement in access to quality care in the Texas Medicaid program; and
  • HB 3732, 80th R.S., relating to ultra-clean coal technologies, and determine the amount of property tax removed from the tax rolls, as well as the corresponding impact on school finance. Identify any changes needed to strengthen the program and ensure its success.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Eight-liners | Election fraud | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Entergy Corporation | Gambling | Health care costs | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Investment of public funds | Legislative intent | Medical research | Medically uninsured | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Privatization | Public retirement systems | Statutory revision | Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Lottery | Tort reform | Voter identification | Voting systems | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 St29a
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [308 pages  File size: 43,740 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the factors that impact the transparency and efficiency of the health insurance market. Make recommendation to result in the use of best practices, lower health care costs, and better health outcomes, including the following:
  • Study factors contributing to the increasing cost of health care;
  • Study insurer and health maintenance organization (HMO) use of tiers, ratings, or classifications to differentiate among credentialed physicians already admitted to the insurer or HMO panel of preferred providers or network;
  • Examine methods to remediate incorrect tiering, ratings, or classifications;
  • Examine how physicians are notified of the standards against which they will be compared and whether they are notified of the standards prior to the evaluation period;
  • Improve transparency with respect to the marketing of prescription drugs; and
  • Study the use of certain nonprofit health corporations - approved under Chapter 162, Occupations Code, in Texas. Examine whether such entities operate on a statewide scale or on a limited scale, whether such entities adhere to the formalities required of corporations, whether the operation of such entities are influenced by owners or members who are not licensed to practice medicine, and whether such entities have ever been decertified or investigated for failure to maintain compliance with Texas law or regulations.
2. Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of uninsured Texans, focusing on the following:
  • Options to increase access to private health insurance, including 3 Share programs, employer sponsored plans and portable, individual insurance;
  • Incentives for encouraging counties and local governments to participate in private health insurance cost sharing for their respective residents;
  • Options to reduce health care premiums, including creation of special plans with increased deductibles and catastrophic coverage;
  • Implementation and possible expansion of health services districts;
  • Other state programs for increasing market-based coverage of the uninsured, including costs and effectiveness;
  • Options that will increase consumer choice and personal responsibility; and
  • Analysis of state and federal regulations that contribute to higher premium costs.
3. Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, including the current eligibility for coverage requirements, the economic profiles of participants and former participants, the affordability of the insurance products’ premiums and deductibles, and the public's awareness of the Pool.
4. Study the issue of security and accuracy in Texas elections. The study should include the benefits and risks of electronic voting technology, including the necessity of maintaining a paper record of each electronic vote. The study should also include an analysis of fraud in Texas elections, including prosecution rates for voter fraud, the processes for purging ineligible voters from voter lists, and the integrity of the mail-in and provisional ballot systems. Study the effectiveness of electronic voting technology and voter ID laws in other states. Monitor the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, including the implementation of the Texas Election Administration Management system. Recommend statutory and regulatory changes designed to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to vote in Texas elections and that each vote is accurately counted.
5. Review and make recommendations for requiring insurance coverage of routine medical care for patients with a life-threatening disease or condition who have elected to participate in a clinical trial.
6. Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas.
7. Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement 2nd of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes.
8. Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 79th R.S., by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system.
9. Study and make recommendations to reduce illegal gambling in Texas, including, but not limited to, the illegal use of Eight-Liners.
10. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of phasing in a defined-contribution pension for future employees versus the existing defined-benefit pension plan. Study options for transition or implementation issues and how the phase-in could be structured. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities.
11. Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the quality of health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint charge with Senate Criminal Justice Committee)
12. Review and evaluate appropriate state regulation of a private operator of the state lottery should the state receive bids for a lease of the lottery that merit strong consideration. Provide recommendations for ensuring the security and integrity of the lottery and for adequate consumer protections. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
13. Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
14. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the State Affairs Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. In particular, monitor and report on the effect of HB 2365, 80th R.S., which allows public entities to report "other post employment benefits" (OPEBs) on a statutory modified accrual basis, including any effect on auditor opinions, bond ratings, or other fiscal issues. Monitor the implementation of SB 1731, 80th R.S., relating to transparency of health information, and SB 1846, 80th R.S., relating to TRS.
Committee: Senate Agency Funds Management
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report, Senate of the state of Texas, 68th Legislature / Senate Committee on Agency Funds Management.
Subjects: Fund management | Investment of public funds |
Library Call Number: L1836.68 ag35r
Session: 68th R.S. (1983)
Online version: View report [43 pages  File size: 3,213 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study overall fund management practices of the state and make appropriate recommendations to improve the manner in which those funds are administered, whether within or without the jurisdiction of the State Treasury. Examine state agency handling of funds held independently from the State Treasury and of funds subject to periodic deposit in the State Treasury to determine whether agency policies are maximizing the interest income received by the state from the investment of such funds; examine, from the viewpoint of financial efficiency, state agency handling of earned federal funds; examine the unexpended balances held by state agencies in excess of biennial expenditures towards the recommendation of suitable policies with respect to the reappropriation of those balances; and examine and undertake a cash management analysis to determine the best methods of developing and coordinating more effective cash management functions and investment decisions for the state.
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Agency Funds Management
Title: SR 524
Library Call Number: SR 524
Session: 68th R.S. (1983)
Online version: View document [4 pages  File size: 220 kb]
Committee: House Financial Institutions
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the Committee on Financial Institutions, Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature, Austin, Texas.
Subjects: Automated teller machines | Banks and banking | Fund management | Investment of public funds | Savings and Loans |
Library Call Number: L1836.68 f49
Session: 68th R.S. (1983)
Online version: View report [25 pages  File size: 720 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To study the effect on the Texas economy of interstate banking and the rise of financial service conglomerates.
2. To study state law regarding electronic fund transfer systems and the effect thereof on the Texas economy.
3. To review the business activities of subsidiary corporations and financial institutions and the laws and regulations relative thereto.
4. To review the feasibility of investment of state funds held by the Treasury in commercial papers.
Committee: House Financial Institutions
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the Financial Institutions Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 66th Legislature.
Subjects: Banks and banking | Consumer credit and debt | Credit unions | Interest rates | Investment of public funds | Mortgages |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 f49
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [71 pages  File size: 2,145 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Report on the status of the mortgage loan business in view of the change in usury limits enacted by the 66th Regular Session of the Legislature.
2. Compare the interest rate structures permitted by law for all lending institutions in Texas and compare these structures with those in selected states with similar regional and economic status to determine the impact of Texas usury ceilings and recommend revisions if needed.
3. Review the differences in state-chartered banks, national banks and the bank holding companies as they relate to competition in the money market.
4. Study the status of credit unions in Texas, particularly with respect to their expansion, financial stability and service to consumers.
5. Review the possible effects of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 on state chartered and federally chartered financial institutions in Texas.
6. Review the authority of the state and its political subdivisions regarding the receipt, deposit, investment and disposition of public funds in state and federally chartered financial institutions.
Committee: House Cash Management
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the Joint Committee on Cash Management Procedures, Texas House of Representatives, 65th Legislature.
Subjects: Counties | Financial investments | Fund management | Investment of public funds | Municipalities | State agency budgets |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 c268
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [27 pages  File size: 296 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Make a study of the cash management procedures of state and local government in Texas, including a review of the management of cash balances held outside the State Treasury by other state agencies and the possibility of consolidating these funds.
2. Make a study of the feasibility of the establishment of a pooling arrangement for funds of local governments in Texas.
3. Conduct an assessment of the relative advantages and disadvantages of providing technical assistance to local governments regarding cash management.
Committee: House Public Pension Plans, House Joint
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: A compilation of interim reports to the sixty-sixth legislative session, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects: Financial investments | Investment of public funds | Public retirement systems | University of Houston |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 h816 7
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [94 pages  File size: 2,532 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study all local public pension systems with detailed information for Fort Worth, Houston, El Paso, Austin, and Dallas. Include fiscal condition, actuarial soundness, participation requirements, benefit levels, investment policies, and general administrative practices.
2. Study all police and firefighter plans. Include the same information stated above
3. Comment on the definition and importance of actuarial soundness.
4. Comment specifically on the strengths of each state pension system with recommendations for improvements.
5. State the type of information that should be included in actuarial reports and elaborate on the importance of periodic reporting.
6. Touch on the University of Houston investment problems being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Try to discover if such transactions are being made by the pension systems in their investment practices.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Public Pension Plans, House Joint
Title: Joint committee studies.
Library Call Number: LRL
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View document [7 pages]
Committee: Senate Investment Practices of State Funds, Investigation
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Investment practices of the Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Permanent University Fund : a report to the 57th Legislature pursuant to Senate Resolution no. 566, 56th Legislature.
Subjects: Employees Retirement System of Texas | Fund management | Investment of public funds | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.56 UN3
Session: 56th R.S. (1959)
Online version: View report [86 pages  File size: 3,431 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. The committee shall have full powers to investigate in any manner deemed advisable by said Committee, the investment practices, purchases, and handling of the funds of the Teacher Retirement System, the Permanent School Fund, the Employees Retirement Fund, and the University of Texas Fund.
Committee: House State Departments and Permanent School Fund, Special
Title: Report - Permanent School Fund
Library Catalog Title: Reports
Subjects: Investment of public funds | Permanent School Fund |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 44th Leg. R.S. 2782 (1935)
Session: 44th R.S. (1935)
Online version: View report [21 pages  File size: 1,314 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Investigate the investment of money from the Permanent School fund in refunding bonds. *
Committee: Joint Central Investigating Committee
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report
Subjects: Agriculture, Texas Department of | Attorney General of Texas | Bachelor's degrees | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Courts | Education Agency, Texas | General Land Office, Texas | Higher education | Highway Department, Texas State | Investment of public funds | Juvenile detention facilities | Legislative staff | Library & Archives Commission, Texas State | Office of the Governor | Prairie View A&M University | Prison farms | Prison labor | Prisons | Quarantines | Rabies | Railroad Commission of Texas | Sam Houston State University | Secretary of State, Texas | State agencies | State agency budgets | State land | State purchasing | Tarleton State University | Tax administration | Teacher training | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University - Commerce | Texas State University | Texas Woman's University | Treasury Department, Texas State | University of North Texas at Denton | University of Texas at Austin | University of Texas at El Paso | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Veterinary Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of | West Texas A&M University |
Library Call Number: L1836.35 In8r / H.J. of Tex., 35th Leg., 4th C.S. 228 (1918)
Session: 35th R.S. (1917)
Online version: View report [58 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. To make a through investigation into the affairs of all departments of the state and every state institution. *
Committee: House First National Bank of Austin, Investigate
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of Special Committee to make certain investigation concerning First National Bank of Austin.
Subjects: Banks and banking | Investment of public funds | Treasury Department, Texas State |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 27th Leg., 1st C.S. 76 (1901)
Session: 27th R.S. (1901)
Online version: View report [2 pages  File size: 69 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Investigate the alleged deposit with the First National Bank of Austin of State public funds by the State Treasurer and Secretary of State. *
Supporting documents
Committee: House First National Bank of Austin, Investigate
Title: Testimony
Library Catalog Title: Report of Special Committee to make certain investigation concerning First National Bank of Austin.
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 27th Leg., 1st C.S. 76 (1901)
Session: 27th R.S. (1901)
Online version: View document [21 pages  File size: 1,348 kb]
Committee: House Comptroller and Treasurer's Offices, Select
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: [Report].
Subjects: Available School Fund | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Federal funds | Investment of public funds | Military spending | Permanent School Fund | State employees | Treasury Department, Texas State |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 12th Leg., R.S., 1546 (1871)
Session: 12th 1st C.S. (1870)
Online version: View report [15 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Examine the office of the Comptroller and the Treasurer.

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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