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3 Document(s) [ Subject: Foreign investments ]

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 Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bonds | County government | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Foreign investments | Pension Review Board, Texas | Public retirement systems | Russia | Tax evasion | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [44 pages  File size: 1,440 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:
  • HB 1258, 87th R.S., relating to data matching with financial institutions to facilitate the collection of certain delinquent taxes;
  • HB 1585, 87th R.S., relating to the operations and functions of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas;
  • HJR 99, 87th R.S., proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county; authorizing the issuance of bonds and notes; and
  • SB 1444, 87th R.S., relating to participation in the uniform group coverage program for active school employees and to a study concerning health coverage for school district employees.
2. Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System (TRS) pension funds.
3. Review the Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act to ensure proper governance and financial oversight. Examine whether the Pension Review Board has proper oversight and authority to implement necessary corrective measures.
4. Evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental Retirement Fund and Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan 2. Identify strategies to reduce and eliminate existing unfunded liabilities and recommend structural enhancements that improve the financial health and viability of the funds moving forward.
5. Review the impact of investments by public retirement systems of their endowment and other trust funds 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.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 25, 2022
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View document [68 pages  File size: 5,738 kb]

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