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3 Document(s) [ Subject: Winter Storm Uri ]

Committee:	Senate Finance
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Broadband infrastructure \| Centennial Parks Conservation Fund \| Electric Reliability Council of Texas \| Electricity transmission and distribution \| Film Commission, Texas \| Film industry \| Foundation School Program \| Homestead exemptions \| Mental health services \| Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of \| Property taxes \| Public Utility Commission of Texas \| Recapture (School finance) \| School enrollment \| School finance \| State hospitals \| State parks \| Tax relief \| Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund \| Texas Energy Fund \| Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program \| Texas State Water Plan \| Texas Water Fund \| Water Development Board, Texas \| Water service \| Winter Storm Uri \| Winter weather \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.88 F49
Session:	88th R.S. (2023)
Online version:	View report [68 pages File size: 2,276 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Continue Cutting Property Taxes: Identify the best combination to further increase the amount of homestead exemption and compression to continue cutting Texans' property taxes. Additionally, establish and report on the cost of eliminating: School maintenance and operation property taxes; All school property taxes; and All property taxes. Determine the fiscal consequences of each action, including whether revenue reallocations would be required for public education funding and local government funding, and impacts on the state's ability to respond to disasters and other urgent priorities. For example, determine the effect on other state programs if general revenue were used to fully replace school property taxes, particularly during economic downturns. Evaluate and report on how much state revenue would need to be generated to replace foregone property tax revenue, and from what source.
2.	Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities: Monitor the implementation of SB 30, 88th R.S., with regard to appropriations made for expanding mental health services and inpatient facilities across the state. Report on the progress of inpatient facility construction projects. Assess and report on the effectiveness of spending on mental health services.
3.	Monitor Property Tax Relief and Infrastructure Funds: Monitor the appropriations supporting, and implementation of, the following legislation passed during the 88th Legislature, Regular or Special Sessions, and approved by voters, amending the Texas Constitution: Property Tax Relief: SB 2, 88th 2nd C.S. and HJR 2, 88th 2nd C.S.; Texas Energy Fund: SB 2627, 88th R.S. and SJR 93, 88th R.S.; Texas Water Fund: SB 28, 88th R.S. and SJR 75, 88th R.S.; Centennial Parks Conservation Fund: SB 1648, 88th R.S. and SJR 74, 88th R.S.; and Broadband Infrastructure Fund: HB 9, 88th R.S. and HJR 125, 88th R.S.
4.	School Enrollment Trends: Study post-pandemic student enrollment trends, and examine the possible causes behind the shift in student enrollment, including the rise in homeschooling, micro-schools, and other parental choice options. Make recommendations to ensure parents and educators have the tools and resources needed to respond to the projected enrollment changes and ensure that every child has the best educational options available to learn.
5.	Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program: Review the expenditure of funds appropriated to the Texas Film Commission for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) by the 88th Legislature and assess the effectiveness of the program in promoting media production and stimulating local economies through job creation and business growth. Analyze application trends before and after the appropriation, with attention to high- profile or large-budget productions. Additionally, review other states and international incentive programs and evaluate Texas's workforce and educational needs in media production. Provide recommendations to improve the TMIIIP’s transparency and enhance Texas's competitive position.
Committee:	House Energy Resources
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Alternative energy \| Carbon capture and sequestration \| Energy storage \| Natural gas drilling \| Natural gas service \| Natural gas supplies \| Natural gas utilities \| Natural gas utility rates and charges \| Oil production \| Power outages \| Railroad Commission of Texas \| Weatherization \| Winter Storm Uri \|
Library Call Number:
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [28 pages File size: 995 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 1520, 87th R.S.relating to extraordinary costs incurred by gas utilities relating to Winter Storm Uri and the authority to issue bonds and impose fees and assessments; HB 3648, 87th R.S. which requires the designation of certain natural gas facilities as critical customers or critical gas suppliers during energy emergencies; and SB 3, 87th R.S. relating to preparing for, preventing, and responding to weather emergencies and power outages. (Joint charge with Committee on State Affairs)
2.	Assess efforts made by the Railroad Commission and the Texas Energy Reliability Council to weatherize infrastructure and ensure reliability of the natural gas delivery system during times of disaster.
3.	Examine ways to increase the production of oil and gas within the state. Review state and local regulations that could directly impact the exploration or production of oil and gas and make recommendations for increasing Texas' energy independence.
4.	Explore options for expanding the state's underground natural gas storage capacity, including using excess storage capacity for carbon capture opportunities and the creation of a strategic natural gas reserve for the state.
5.	Evaluate innovative and emerging energy sources. Identify and make recommendations to address legislative or regulatory obstacles to the use, development, and deployment of viable innovative and emerging energy sources.
Committee:	Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Border security \| Cattle \| Daylight saving time \| Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on \| Flood control \| Groundwater \| Groundwater conservation districts \| Hydraulic fracturing \| Infrastructure \| Meat processing plants \| Produced Water Consortium, Texas \| Reservoirs \| Rural areas \| Rural economic development \| Texas State Water Plan \| Theft \| Undocumented immigrants \| Wastewater management \| Water conservation \| Water Development Board, Texas \| Water recycling \| Water supplies \| Winter Storm Uri \| Workforce Commission, Texas \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.87 W291A
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [88 pages File size: 4,475 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Water Utility Infrastructure: Evaluate the state's water infrastructure. Study and make recommendations on options to upgrade and update water infrastructure to address deferred maintenance, disasters, and water loss.
2.	Water Supply: Review and make recommendations to complete specific projects identified in the 2022 State Water Plan. In light of recent changes to the global economy, consider the current regulatory process regarding innovative technology solutions to water supply needs, such as marine desalination, and make recommendations for their improvement.
3.	Groundwater Management and Protection: Evaluate the status and effectiveness of the State's groundwater management process, including data used to support regional water planning and conservation goals. Report on the effectiveness of the State's groundwater protection efforts and whether statutory changes are needed to protect groundwater quality.
4.	Rural Employment: Study and make recommendations on rural small business development and workforce needs. Consider and recommend innovative methods for business development in rural parts of the state.
5.	Daylight Savings Time: Examine and report on how permanently maintaining daylight savings time impacts the agricultural community.
6.	Rural Immigration: Consider the Federal government's open border policies and practices of releasing illegal immigrants in rural areas of the state. Report on the impact to rural Texas, and their local ability to address social, health, and law enforcement needs.
7.	Meat Packing Facilities: Study the need for additional meat packing facilities in Texas. Evaluate and report on the increased cost to Texas ranchers and revenue lost in the Texas economy when meatpacking facilities are utilized outside of Texas.
8.	Agricultural Theft: Study the impact of cattle theft on farming and ranching operations throughout Texas and recommend cost-effective measures to mitigate loss and increase security.
9.	Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs 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 8, 86th R.S., Relating to state and regional flood planning; SB 601, 87th R.S., Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium; SB 905, 87th R.S., Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater; and HB 3516, 87th R.S., Relating to the regulation of the recycling of fluid oil and gas waste.

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