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56 Document(s) [ Subject: Workers' compensation ]

Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Child care | Coronavirus | Correctional officers | Electronic security | Emergency medical services | Firefighters | Homeowners' associations | Peace officers | Privacy | Retail industry | Theft | Unemployment | Unemployment benefits | Workers' compensation | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.87 B964
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [88 pages  File size: 4,132 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 3746, 87th R.S., relating to certain notifications required following a breach of security or computerized data; SB 22, 87th R.S., relating to certain claims for benefits, compensation, or assistance by certain public safety employees and survivors of certain public safety employees; and SB 1588, 87th R.S., and SB 581, 87th R.S., relating to the powers and duties of certain property owners’ associations.
2.	Study workers’ compensation claims involving public safety employees described by SB 22, 87th R.S. This study should include an analysis of medical costs, return-to-work outcomes, utilization of care, satisfaction with care, and health-related functional outcomes.
3.	Study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on unemployment trends, hurdles to workforce reentry, and industry-specific disruptions.
4.	Study the impact of organized retail crime on Texas businesses. Make recommendations for addressing the redistribution of stolen merchandise into the supply chain, including through online marketplaces, to protect Texas businesses and consumers. Make recommendations relating to transparency for online marketplaces and information that should be provided by sellers.
5.	Review operational changes and strategies employed by the Texas Workforce Commission to improve outcomes related to Unemployment Benefit Services, including application and payment processes, customer services, and fraud deterrence.
6.	Evaluate the overall state of data privacy and online consumer protections in Texas and study the related laws and legislative efforts of other states. Make recommendations to ensure consumer data protections and online privacy.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Corporate governance | Death benefits | Electronic security | Homeowners' associations | Independent contractors | International trade | Pharmaceutical industry | Pharmacies | Physicians | Prescription drug costs | Risk Management, State Office of | Small businesses | State agencies | Transportation network companies | Welfare-to-work | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.84 B964
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View report [67 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study Texas businesses' utilization of the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and the associated state tax refund under Subchapter H, Labor Code, in employing those who are receiving government benefits and/or have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. Conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the tax credit vis-a-vis savings in federal and state public assistance programs. Make recommendations to remove any unnecessary administrative obstructions and expand Texas business owners' use of the program.
2.	Identify and address potential gaps in Texas businesses’ cybersecurity policies and ensure that Texans’ personal information held by these businesses is secure.
3.	Evaluate how Texas can support shared economy growth in the state. Determine how the state can ensure customer security and satisfaction as well as consumer protections without enacting burdensome regulations. Additionally, study the effects of a growing portion of the state's workforce seeking full-time vs. supplemental part-time employment with related technology-based businesses. Analyze recent debate and legal precedent regarding the classification of these employees.
4.	Examine the regulatory powers of property owners associations, and the procedures available to home owners when an association restricts individual or property rights. Review current best practices to help clarify the balance of property rights, transparency in governance, and the best interests of property owners in the state.
5.	Study the impact of recent Texas cases related to the rights and remedies of shareholders of Texas corporate forms, including the impact of those decisions on the legal rights of both Texas corporations and shareholders and any impact on the Texas business climate.
6.	Study the requirement for state agencies and entities to purchase insurance through the State Office of Risk Management (SORM), and the agencies and entities that are exempt from this requirement. Examine the costs and benefits of each approach, and the waiver process by which SORM can allow agencies to purchase insurance on their own.
7.	Study the following aspects of the designated doctor process in the Texas workers' compensation system: a. the Division of Workers' Compensation's (DWC's) processes for educating, monitoring, and evaluating designated doctors; b. whether the DWC requires additional authority to regulate designated doctors or entities providing services for designated doctors; and c. any unique issues with "traveling" designated doctors.
8.	Examine the adequacy of benefits for injured employees in the Texas workers' compensation system who qualify for Lifetime Income Benefits, and for the beneficiaries of employees who receive Death Benefits. In particular, examine the application of benefit caps for those benefit types and the termination of Death Benefits to surviving spouses on remarriage.
9.	Analyze recent data attributing the decline in domestic manufacturing to a consistent trade deficit caused by steady increases in net imports. Study how expanding trade and investing in manufacturing communities’ partnerships can grow the state's skilled workforce and production as well as increase net exports and develop a trade balance. (Joint charge with the House Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs)
10.	Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, March 22, 2016 (Workers' compensation, designated doctors, lifetime income and death benefits, compound pharmaceuticals)
Library Call Number:
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View document [63 pages  File size: 6,624 kb]
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, March 23, 2016 (Lawsuits, dispute resolution, oversight, insurance purchases by state agencies)
Library Call Number:
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View document [257 pages  File size: 17,549 kb]
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Assisted living facilities | Fraud | Health care provider networks | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas Department of | Medical bill balance billing | Prompt payment of insurance claims | Property insurance | Texas Mutual Insurance | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Windstorm insurance | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.84 In7
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View report [87 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine available data on the cost of weather-related property insurance claims and the incidence of litigation of these claims. Study whether these data reveal trends or patterns over time and what the drivers of these trends might be. Identify impacts on the property insurance market and on consumers from claims litigation.
2.	Examine the effectiveness of previous legislative efforts to encourage transparency and adequacy of health care networks, and of legislation to protect consumers from the negative impacts of disputes over out-of-network services. Study whether enhancements in transparency or regulation are necessary.
3.	Evaluate the statutory penalty calculations under Texas's prompt payment laws regarding health care claims. Include an analysis of whether the proper benchmarks are used to establish penalties commensurate with an improper payment and the effect of the abolition of the Texas Health Insurance Pool on the use of funds collected under the statute.
4.	Study the Texas credit for reinsurance statutes and how they affect market capacity, the cost of regulatory compliance, and the prospect of federal preemption of the state's ability to regulate reinsurance. Examine how alternative credit for reinsurance statutes in other jurisdictions function, including in the regulatory and legal systems of those jurisdictions.
5.	Monitor the implementation of SB 900 (84R), including the rulemaking process by the Texas Department of Insurance and the adoption of an updated plan of operation by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
6.	Examine the effectiveness of residual market programs in the insurance industry in Texas, as well as approaches used in other states.
7.	Review the implementation of HB 2929, 83rd R.S.. Examine the bill's impact and compliance among affected health plans. Examine the costs incurred by the Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, and any other affected state health plans as a result of the legislation.
8.	Review current statutory provisions regarding the prosecution of workers' compensation insurance fraud. Examine ways to maintain or enhance fraud prosecution while ensuring a fair process for all parties involved.
9.	Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, March 30, 2016 (Prompt pay, post-acute brain injury care, workers' compensation fraud)
Library Call Number:
Session:	84th R.S. (2015)
Online version:	View document [168 pages  File size: 17,722 kb]
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Automobile repairs | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Electronic security | Employees | Identity theft | Independent contractors | Liens | Theft | Wages | Workers' compensation | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.83 B964
Session:	83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version:	View report [66 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the voluntary nature of workers' compensation in Texas and how it meets the needs of employers and employees.
2.	Review existing lien laws in Texas. Specifically: a. Examine laws concerning the enforcement of contract liens affecting real property. Identify improvements, if any, that will enhance the certainty of title following sale, enhance ability to ensure that sales are conducted by qualified trustees, prevent unnecessary litigation, facilitate loss mitigation between borrowers and sellers, and protect the interests of homeowners, lenders and trustees. b. Study the imposition of mechanics' liens on automobiles and its impact on mechanics, car owners and purchasers, and lenders. c. Review ad valorem tax lien lending after the implementation of SB 247, 83rd R.S. and the impact on homeowners, taxing authorities, mortgage lenders, and tax lien lenders. Review the procedures and powers of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner to ensure compliance with SB 247.
3.	Study the impact of SB 1024,82 R.S. on wage theft and law enforcement's and regulatory agencies' responses to wage theft claims. Recommend changes if necessary.
4.	Examine the issue of misclassifying employees as independent contractors on workers, employers, income tax withholding, and the unemployment insurance system. Review current statutory deterrents, including those equired by HB 2015, 83rd R.S., and make recommendations for changes if necessary.
5.	Study the impact of credit card data theft and other credit or privacy information theft on Texas consumers and businesses.
6.	Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Committee meeting handouts and testimony, April 22, 2014 (Workers' compensation, misclassification of employees)
Library Call Number:
Session:	83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version:	View document [97 pages  File size: 10,250 kb]
Committee:	House Public Health
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Border crossings | Border issues | Border security | Dental Examiners, Texas State Board of | Dentists | Ebola | Food and Drug Administration, U.S. | Foster care | Immunizations | Medical records | Pharmaceutical industry | Pharmacies | Pregnancy | Prenatal care | Prescription drugs | Psychoactive drugs | Substance abuse | Unaccompanied minors | Undocumented immigrants | Workers' compensation | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number:	L1836.83 H349h
Session:	83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version:	View report [82 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Assess the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use in the state (including opioid analgesics, stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives). Identify adverse health impacts. Recommend strategies to curb emerging substance abuse trends among children, pregnant women, and adults, as well as to reduce health care costs and mortality.
2.	Study and make recommendations for improvements to the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of compounding pharmacies, including a review of the joint cooperative efforts between the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Department of State Health Services, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consider the impact of the passage of SB 1100, 83rd R.S., additional appropriations made by the 83rd Legislature to strengthen inspections, and any relevant federal legislation.
3.	Identify strategies to support the efficient exchange of electronic health information with Texas Health and Human Services enterprise agencies. Examine legal and technical issues around the accessibility of information held in registries maintained by state agencies to authorized health care providers. Identify issues related to health information exchange and providers' liability, as well as concerns related to transitioning patient data in cases where a provider selects a new electronic health record vendor.
4.	Examine the current practice for dispensation of biologic and follow-on biologic (biosimilar) pharmaceutical products in our state. Review any practices for interchangeability of drugs that might pertain to these particular medicines. Review and make recommendations regarding the substitution of biosimilar and biologic medicines.
5.	Monitor transition of the state's immunization registry to a new system. Determine whether the registry can be better utilized to prevent and/or respond to communicable disease outbreaks, including pertussis. Identify potential factors contributing to the rise in the number of pertussis cases and strategies to prevent future outbreaks.
6.	Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature, including HB 15, 83rd R.S.. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Biometric identification | Cellular telephones | DNA databases | e-government | Electronic surveillance | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health care costs | Health care navigators | Health insurance exchanges | Health insurance pools | Legislature, Texas | Medical billing | Patents | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Personally identifiable information | Privacy | Rules of the Texas Senate | Search warrants | Searches and seizures | Small businesses | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Legislature Online | Texas Mutual Insurance | Websites | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.83 St29a
Session:	83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version:	View report [128 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine the negative economic impact on Texas business from legal issues involving threatened and actual patent litigation by "patent assertion entities" (PAEs). Consider the effects of PAE actions on innovation and economic development in Texas, paying particular attention to threats and lawsuits involving software and technology patent claims. Make recommendations on how the State of Texas can address problems related to frivolous legal actions and unsubstantiated patent claims asserted against legitimate business enterprises in light of the relevant federal jurisdiction, laws, regulations, and court rules in patent cases.
2.	Examine possible measures to protect the personal privacy of Texas residents from governmental and commercial surveillance, including: (1) any necessary limits on warrantless search and seizure of data from electronic devices and wireless providers, including digital content and geolocational data; (2) any necessary protections against non-consented video and audio recordings collected by private handheld and wearable mobile devices and other private surveillance; and (3) any necessary limits on warrantless monitoring of the physical location of individuals through the use of biometrics, RFID chips, facial recognition, or other technologies. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states.
3.	Review the types and scope of personal data collected by governmental and commercial entities and consider methods to minimize the government’s collection of data on its citizens. The study should include: (1) whether sufficient protections exist for DNA samples and information, including whether there should be a prohibition on the creation of DNA databases, except for felons and sex offenders; (2) methods to protect the privacy of gun owners from aggregated purchasing pattern tracking; (3) mechanisms to ensure that private health care information is properly protected; and (4) ways to ensure that previously anonymous data is not improperly re-identified and marketed. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states.
4.	Examine possible reforms designed to increase citizens' ability to know what data is being collected about them by governmental andcommercial entities and with whom that data is being shared, including an analysis of consumer informed consent. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states.
5.	Study the online legislative resources available to the public from Texas Senate Committee websites and compare esources to those provided by other state legislative committees in Texas and other states. Determine how Texas Senate websites can be improved to provide a more interactive and transparent government.
6.	Study the emerging negative impacts of the Federal Affordable Care Act, including the use of navigators, and make recommendations to mitigate any unintended consequences including rising health insurance premiums, lack of access to healthcare, mishandling of Texans' private information by insufficiently-trained navigators, and the Act’s overall effect on Texas employers and insurance consumers. Evaluate free-market alternatives to the Act, including state-led proposals to repeal, reduce or replace the Act. Closely monitor and make recommendations on the continuation of the Texas Health Insurance Pool.
7.	Study and make recommendations on increasing medical price transparency in Texas, including studying the impact of SB 1731, 80th Legislative Session. Analyze relevant reforms considered or implemented in other states, and make recommendations regarding potential changes designed to create a more open marketplace for enhanced consumer decision making in Texas.
8.	Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Employees Retirement System (ERS).
9.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
10.	Study and make recommendations relative to the structure of Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the residual market for workers’ compensation insurance in Texas.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Consumer credit and debt | Eminent domain | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal government | Firefighters | Forest Service, Texas A&M | Health insurance | Health insurance exchanges | Liability | Medicaid | Military personnel | Municipalities | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Peace officers | Primary elections | Property rights | Public retirement systems | Public Safety, Texas Department of | State employee benefits | State employee turnover | States' rights | Statutes of limitation | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Wildfires | Workers' compensation | Zoning |
Library Call Number:	L1836.82 St29a
Session:	82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version:	View report [177 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the policies and actions the State can pursue to preserve state authority and protect Texas citizens from federal overreach in the form of conditional federal grants, conditional federal preemption, and excessive legislation and regulation interfering with states' enumerated powers by Congress.
2.	Examine the Texas Workers' Compensation system and make recommendations for changes to meet the needs of Texas employers and employees. Specifically, review the following: the dispute resolution process and benefits available from employers that do not subscribe to workers compensation; the adequacy of income benefits in the workers’ compensation system, specifically on high?wage earners receiving the maximum compensation rate; identify and report on fatalities in the Workers’ Compensation System, including the amount of death and burial benefits paid to beneficiaries and the Subsequent Injury Fund since 2000; the return-­to-­work numbers and results for injured employees in the Workers’ Compensation System that are referred to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.
3.	Study the feasibility and fiscal impact to consumers of altering the insurance code to allow for the purchase of health insurance across state lines.
4.	Monitor the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on insurance regulations, Medicaid and CHIP, health care outcomes and overall health of all Texans, and the state budget in Texas. Additionally, monitor the current constitutional challenges to PPACA and other court cases associated with PPACA, and ensure that the state does not expend any resources until judicial direction is clear. (Joint charge with Senate Health & Human Services Committee)
5.	Study and make recommendations on statutory provisions and judicial decisions relating to the statute of limitations on a cause of action relating to consumer debt.
6.	Examine establishing a workforce retention program or deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned peace officers and whether any plan can be built with actuarially sustainable factors while meeting the needs of officers.
7.	Examine the feasibility of implementing Health Reimbursement Accounts and Medicare exchanges for Medicare eligible participants currently covered by and receiving health coverage through the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M University. Identify any cost savings to the state and to retirees that would occur under such a plan.
8.	Consider the costs and benefits of the creation of liability protection for private companies and individuals when commissioned by the Texas Forest Service to assist in fighting a fire that is not on the company's or individual's own land. Examine whether state policy should prohibit an employer from terminating an employee who is a volunteer firefighter on the grounds that the employee missed work because the employee was responding to an emergency. Identify any appropriate limitations that should apply to such a policy.
9.	Examine the effectiveness of the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act (Chapter 2007, Government Code), and whether it should apply to municipalities.
10.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: implementation of SB 100, relating to the implementation of the MOVE Act, and the impact on local and statewide elections and military voters; implementation of the Interstate Health Care Compact.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business & Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, December 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Employment | Homeowners' associations | Liability | Manufacturing | Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund | Unemployment taxes | Workers' compensation | Workplace safety |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 B964
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [83 pages  File size: 10,965 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine Title 11 of the Texas Property Code to determine if the various independent statutes are sufficient to protect the interest of homeowners and homeowners associations. Consider whether Title 11 should be consolidated with other laws.
2.	Study and report on third-party liability issues involving workers' compensation, including the frequency and success rates of third party litigation, the relationship, if any, between third-party litigation and jobsite safety, the adequacy of compensation and reimbursement to workers, and the economic costs of third-party litigation and equitable and contractual subrogation in construction activities. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence
3.	Review the Unemployment Compensation Fund and its impact on business taxpayers to determine whether changes may be made to stabilize the fund in times of economic contraction without imposing an undue economic burden on businesses. Determine whether modernizations should be implemented to make the fund more efficient and effective. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce
4.	Examine ways to increase the creation of jobs in the Texas manufacturing industry.
5.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee:	House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Alternative dispute resolution | Attorneys | Campaign finance and expenditure reports | Campaign finance reform | Human trafficking | Judicial campaigns | Lawsuits | Legal malpractice | Liability | Supreme Court arguments and decisions, U.S. | Workers' compensation | Workplace safety |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 J898
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [32 pages  File size: 360 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study current barratry laws in Texas and make recommendations as to their adequacy in protecting citizens from unscrupulous behavior.
2.	Study and make recommendations regarding the use of arbitration in Texas and the effect such practices have on state jurisprudence.
3.	Review the burden of proof and damage calculation models for certain causes of action to determine appropriate applicability in Texas law.
4.	Study and report on third-party liability issues involving workers' compensation, including the frequency and success rates of third party litigation, the relationship, if any, between third-party litigation and jobsite safety, the adequacy of compensation and reimbursement to workers, and the economic costs of third-party litigation and equitable and contractual subrogation in construction activities. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Business and Industry
5.	Study the human and sex trafficking problem in Texas. Make recommendations on best practices in the areas of investigation, prosecution, and tracking of the victims of these crimes. Study whether victims of these crimes are allowed to adequately recover from their attackers in a civil cause of action. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
6.	Review the Texas campaign finance law in judicial races in light of the recent United States Supreme Court decision Caperton v. Massey. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Elections
7.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 82nd Legislature
Subjects:	Employees Retirement System of Texas | Financial investments | Fraud | Health care | Health care costs | Health insurance | Hospitals | Insurance agents | Insurance rates | Medically uninsured | Military personnel | Open government | Open Meetings Act, Texas | Public Information Act, Texas | Senior citizens | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter registration | Voters | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 ST29a
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [248 pages  File size: 24,817 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry, study the implications of such legislation on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee)
2.	Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System. Assess the effectiveness of pilot programs designed to encourage the use of clinical integration, payments for good outcomes, use of best practices, focus on wellness and prevention, and bundling of costs for episodes of care, and other health care savings initiatives. Make recommendations for expanding the pilot programs for use across all private and state sponsored health care, including the Medicaid program, as a means to improve Texans' health and provide more effective care that allows for assistance for the uninsured. (SB 7, SB 8 and SB 10, 81st Legislature)
3.	Study the implementation of the Healthy Texas program enacted by the 81st Legislature and the ongoing implementation of SB 1731, 80th Legislature, to determine if this program is effectively lowering health insurance costs and increasing access to health insurance for small business. Study and make recommendations about using this program to increase access to health insurance for sole proprietors. Review other states efforts to lower health care costs to small business owners and sole proprietors and incentivize small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase insurance.
4.	Examine best practices for increasing the affordability and availability of health insurance in the individual and small group market, including medical underwriting practices, rescission of coverage, cancellation of coverage, rate regulation, and reporting of medical loss ratios.
5.	Study how increased out-of-pocket costs for medications and treatment impact consumers' compliance with health care recommendations and how that response impacts overall health care costs. Review available research into value design programs.
6.	Study ways to improve the efficiency and accuracy of voter registration rolls, including the feasibility and security of online registration and automatic registration and the accuracy of verification and purging of voters. Recommend ways to ensure that deceased or otherwise ineligible voters are not included on rolls while also ensuring that all eligible applicants are efficiently registered.
7.	Study the transparency of organizational structures, policies and coverage associated with health insurance underwriters/agents and the relationship between underwriters/agents and policyholders.
8.	Study the sale of annuities in Texas, particularly to seniors. Evaluate the requirements relating to rescission of an annuity contract, payment of surrender fees, return of money, contract forms, including a standard contract form, buyer's guide, agent's commission and disclosure of an agent's commission. Make recommendations for legislation, if needed, and consider whether the insurance commissioner by rule may limit an agent's commission.
9.	Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured's and under-insured's access to hospital health care services, on the uninsured's and under­insured's economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary.
10.	Study the adequacy of workers' compensation benefits in the following categories: lifetime income benefits, wage benefits for the high wage earner, and workers whose wage benefits stop before Social Security benefits begin. In order to determine the impact of increased benefits in one or more of these categories, work with the Texas Department of Insurance to develop a publicly accessible model to predict the costs related to those enhanced benefits, the effect of those costs on workers' compensation premiums, and whether enrollment in the workers' compensation system will be adversely impacted by increasing the benefits in one or more of the stated categories.
11.	Study whether subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies should be limited or prohibited. Study the effect on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited. Consider the feasibility of developing a publicly accessible model to predict the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited, while protecting confidentiality as required by law and study whether the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, would adversely impact enrollment in the workers' compensation system.
12.	Study and make recommendations regarding access to voting by members of the military serving in the United States and abroad, including the feasibility of electronic delivery of ballots.
13.	Study the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act to ensure that government continues to operate in a way that is open and transparent. The study should consider how advances in technology and the emergence of various forms of social media (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter) have affected communications by and within governmental bodies.
14.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 81 st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business & Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2008 : a report to the House of Representatives, 81st Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Copyright | Electronic security | Film industry | Identity theft | Illegal video recordings | Music | Public information | Publishers and publishing | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.80 B964
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View report [69 pages  File size: 7,294 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the problem of identity theft and the impact of legislation enacted in recent legislative sessions. Examine the problem of electronic data breaches, as well as the feasibility of requiring periodic destruction of records for businesses and state entities to limit exposure to identity theft. Examine the issue of personal information contained in publicly available government records. Recommend any legislative changes needed to combat the problem.
2.	Study Articles 2 and 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and consider amending Chapters 2 and 2A of the Business and Commerce Code to conform with recent amendments to the UCC.
3.	Study the original purposes, development, and the current need for the Subsequent Injury Fund and determine whether this fund should be continued or altered.
4.	Study the problem of digital piracy and make recommendations for legislative changes to address the problem facing move producers and distributors, retailers, book publishers, the music industry, universities, and other copyright holders of creative content. This review should include an examination of the impact on state and local government sales tax revenues.
5.	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 on the system. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Insurance.)
6.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
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.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Testimony, Norman Darwin, Office of Injured Employee Counsel, Briefing Information Regarding the Office of Injured Employee Counsel, April 28, 2008
Library Catalog Title:	Minutes
Library Call Number:	L1803.9 ST29 80 2008: APR 28
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View document [98 pages  File size: 21,109 kb]
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business and Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Colonias | Contracts for deed | Homeowners' associations | Identity theft | Risk Management, State Office of | Texas Mutual Insurance | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.79 B964
Session:	79th R.S. (2005)
Online version:	View report [97 pages  File size: 20,115 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Monitor the implementation of HB 1823, 79th R.S., to determine if there is a need to further legislate the protection of homebuyers who purchase dwellings under the "rent-to-own" or "contract-for-deed" procedures. There should be particular attention paid to assure that no unintended consequences materialize.
2.	Study the problem of identity theft, and recommend any legislative changes needed to combat the problem. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on State Affairs.)
3.	Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system reforms and implementation of HB 7, 79th R.S., by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Insurance.)
4.	Study the powers and practices of homeowner associations in Texas and the possible need for legislation, such as the proposed Texas Uniform Planning Community Act, to address the rules, enforcement, restrictions and other matters with in the authority of a homeowner association. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Land and Resource Management.)
5.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee:	Senate State Affairs
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects:	Child Protective Services | Election fraud | Emergency medical services | Eminent domain | Employees | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Employment | Health care costs | Health maintenance organizations | Liability | Lobbyists | Medical bill balance billing | Privatization | Public retirement systems | State mandated health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter identification | Voting by mail | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.79 St29a
Session:	79th R.S. (2005)
Online version:	View report [211 pages  File size: 6,521 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the Employees Retirement System of Texas ("ERS") including the actuarial soundness of the ERS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the ERS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the ERS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency.
2.	Study the Teachers Retirement System of Texas ("TRS") including the actuarial soundness of the TRS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the TRS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the implementation of SB 1370, 79th R.S.; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the TRS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency
3.	Study and make recommendations on how election officials could verify the identity of a voter without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots.
4.	Monitor the implementation of HB 7, 79th R.S., relating to the workers compensation system of this state.
5.	Study the regulation and management of health care plans, including the following: Study the reimbursement methodology of health care plans for out-of-network claims, the adequacy of health plan networks to provide appropriate coverage, the impact of out-of-network balance billing by physicians and health care providers and the accurate disclosure of patients' out-of-pocket costs. Study the discounting and/or waiving of co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance by physicians and health care providers. Specifically, how this practice can impact the cost to private and public health plans and the impact to acute, multi-service hospitals, including safety net hospitals. Evaluate health care cost transparency by health care providers and access to that information by patients. Review data reported to the Texas Department of Insurance by health care plans, investigate possible expansion of health plans' reportable data, including, but not limited to, administrative costs, and what, if any, is the appropriate release and publication of that information.
6.	Study and review current law on the doctrine of eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v. City of New London. Monitor the implementation of SB 7, 79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and make any necessary recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate compensation for property taken through the use of eminent domain. Determine whether a constitutional amendment is prudent and/or necessary to protect private property owners from condemnations for economic development purposes. Determine which state, regional, and local governmental entities have eminent domain powers and how those powers may be used. Make recommendations regarding their necessity, fairness, and effectiveness. Study the public policy implications relating to Chapter 2007, Government Code, Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act, its effectiveness in protecting private property rights, and the current impact of regulatory takings on private property owners.
7.	Study the costs associated with mandates to insurance companies for increased coverage for specific illnesses, medical conditions, or diseases, including obesity. Provide a cost assessment of the impact of such mandates to the state and local units of government. Include data and analysis of the costs and medical impact associated with insurance mandates which have been enacted in other states, as well as any short- and long-term cost-savings. Develop recommendations on how to provide increased cost-effective coverage, especially to populations with impairments and diseases, as well as the underinsured/uninsured.
8.	Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds.
9.	Study and make recommendations regarding the cost drivers of emergency medical services. Make recommendations on how to improve and sustain EMS services for Texas, as well as reduce costs to health care plans, businesses, and individuals.
10.	Study and review current Texas law on the doctrine of statutory employer, including the 2004 First District Court of Appeals' decision in Etie v. Walsh & Albert Co. and make recommendations of changes in state laws, if necessary, regarding the doctrine of statutory employer and indemnification in construction contracts. Study the current use of Consolidated Insurance Programs and make legislative recommendations, if appropriate.
11.	Assess the benefit of limiting the civil liability for noneconomic damages against non-profit organizations involved in the privatization of child welfare services.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business & Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2004 : a report to the House of Representatives, 79th Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Dry cleaners | Environmental cleanup | Hazardous substances | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.78 B964
Session:	78th R.S. (2003)
Online version:	View report [56 pages  File size: 1,269 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study ways to reduce specific cost drivers under the workers' compensation system related to provider, surgical and physical therapy services or care and the reduction of return-to-work time periods.
2.	Study the cost effectiveness of the state workers' compensation system including: (a) Economic benefits, if any, of inclusion of the UT System, A&M University System, Texas Department of Transportation and Employees Retirement System under the State Office of Risk Management programs; (b) Costs or savings to the state by allowing state agencies to self-insure; and (c)The creation of workers' compensation provider networks for state employees.
3.	Actively monitor the activities of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission in the continued implementation of HB 2600, 77th R.S., and workers' compensation legislation passed during the 78th Legislature.
4.	Monitor the implementation of HB 1366, 78th R.S.. Consider concerns from interested parties regarding the use of the remediation funds and recommend legislative changes to the 79th Legislature.
5.	Study the potential impact on the cost and quality of medical care through employer and/or insurance carrier selection of initial treating doctor and change of doctor in the workers' compensation system.
6.	Monitor the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee:	House Economic Development
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Economic Development, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2004 : a report to the House of Representatives, 79th Texas Legislature
Subjects:	Job training programs | Ports | Rural economic development | Skills Development/Smart Jobs Fund | Tourism | Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836/78 Ec74h
Session:	78th R.S. (2003)
Online version:	View report [56 pages  File size: 308 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Evaluate job training programs offered by the state and whether the state's efforts have been negatively impacted by the loss of the Smart Jobs program. Study the role of career and technology job training programs and their effectiveness in adult education programs, job retraining programs, post-secondary education and high school programs. Recommend legislative changes to enhance job training programs or provide incentives for business recruitment and retention.
2.	Review the state's role in tourism and the effects of moving tourism functions within the Governor's office under SB 275, 78th R.S.. Examine how the state can assist rural communities in the promotion of tourism.
3.	Actively monitor the status of the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. Review the impact of legislative changes enacted by SB 280, 78th R.S., on funding of the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
4.	Study how businesses currently view the Texas Workers' Compensation System and whether it deters business growth or expansion into Texas. Study any reforms that could be used as an incentive for economic development, business recruitment or business retention.
5.	Study the role that Texas ports have in the economic growth of the state and how the state can partner with ports in developing trade, business recruitment and relocation and the transportation of goods and services both in domestic and foreign markets.
6.	Evaluate the state's role in serving economic development interests in rural Texas after the passage of SB 275, 78th R.S., and other economic development legislation from the 78th Legislature.
7.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, with special attention paid to the agencies' implementation of sunset legislation.
Committee:	Senate Workers' Compensation, Select, Interim
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report to the 79th Legislature
Subjects:	Health care costs | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.78 W892s
Session:	78th R.S. (2003)
Online version:	View report [235 pages  File size: 1,581 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine the status of the Health Care Network Advisory Committee's (HNAC) and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission's implementation of the regional workers' compensation health care delivery networks outlined in Article 2 of HB 2600, 77th R.S. (2001).
2.	Study the potential impact of networks on the workers' compensation health care delivery system. Include in the study: a. Quality of care; b. Network adequacy and access to care; c. Disclosure of information to patients, complaint procedures, appeal rights and overall patient satisfaction; d. Costs of care; e. Provider credentialing, selection and dispute resolution; f. Financial risks to providers, employers and carriers; g. Effects of networks on the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission; and h. Quality monitoring systems such as independent report cards.
3.	Study the impact of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission's 2002 Medical Fee Guideline on access to quality medical care for injured workers and medical costs, including recommendations on whether the legislature should statutorily prescribe a methodology for calculating the workers' compensation conversion factor.
4.	Conduct a cost-benefit analysis, to the extent possible, comparing the Texas workers' compensation system to systems operating in other states. Make recommendations to improve the quality of care for injured workers, reduce fraud and inefficiencies, reduce overall claim costs, and streamline the administration of the system. Recommendations should address data exchange, advisory groups and review panels, dispute resolution, enforcement issues, paperwork reduction, and billing and administrative efficiencies.
5.	Study the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's workers' compensation system including a comparison of the medical and indemnity costs associated with the Texas A&M University system, the Texas Department of Transportation and the State Office of Risk Management. Evaluate the potential costs and benefits associated with state agency participation in workers' compensation networks.
6.	Survey the costs and benefits of other health system cost-containment strategies as they relate to medical, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical care, including but not limited to, doctor selection, deductibles, co-payments, preauthorization of services, and return-to-work programs.
7.	Study and make recommendations relating to the pricing of workers' compensation insurance premiums in Texas, including, but not limited to, the impact of rating tools such as schedule rating, negotiated experience modifiers, negotiated deductibles and underwriting.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business & Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2002 : a report to the House of Representatives, 78th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Consumer protection | Funeral industry | Statutory revision | Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.77 b964
Session:	77th R.S. (2001)
Online version:	View report [163 pages  File size: 8,971 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Review trends in the use of binding arbitration requirements in consumer agreements, with special attention to transactions in which the consumer has little or no bargaining power.
2.	Review the performance of the workers' compensation system in returning injured workers to safe and productive employment in a timely manner. Consider system features, policies of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission and actions on the part of health care providers or other system participants that may adversely affect returns to work.
3.	Review and evaluate the substantive recodifications of the Business Organizations Code that were considered by the 76th and 77th Legislatures.
4.	Review the fiscal condition of the workers' compensation subsequent injury fund. Determine whether changes will be needed to keep the fund viable in light of increased demands placed on it by recent legislation.
5.	Assess the need for regulation or other consumer protections in the sale of caskets.
6.	Actively monitor the agencies under the committee's oversight jurisdiction.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business & Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Biotechnology industry | Construction industry | Consumer protection | Fraud | General contractors | Medical research | Senior citizens | Sweepstakes | Telemarketers | Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 b964
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Online version:	View report [107 pages  File size: 535 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine ways to deter and punish consumer fraud directed at senior citizens, including telemarketing fraud.
2.	Assess the public's view of telemarketing generally, the desire and need for simpler ways to prevent nuisance calls, and whether views depend on the business of the vendor or solicitor.
3.	Consider the legal status and policies appropriate to any surplus funds held by the Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund. The committee's consideration should be directed at assuring that sufficient funds are available to deal with all possible market conditions.
4.	Consider the benefits and problems associated with contingency clauses in construction contracts.
5.	Study the emergence of the healthcare technology industry in Texas. Identify factors promoting and inhibiting development of the industry and consider state or private actions potentially affecting its growth.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Business and Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Consumer protection | e-commerce | Employees | Employers | Employment | Internet | Mergers and acquisitions | Telemarketers | Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.75 b964
Session:	75th R.S. (1997)
Online version:	View report [67 pages  File size: 3,139 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the development of commerce on the internet to determine whether existing consumer protection laws are adequate to deal with the present and future issues that may arise.
2.	Review consumer protection issues as they pertain to telemarketing. Determine whether the registration of telemarketers may be necessary to provide adequate protection of the public.
3.	Study the issues surrounding "truth-in-hiring" legislation. Investigate the possibility of protecting both employees and employers when prospective employers request job references.
4.	Review the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of 1983. Assess its adequacy in protecting the public interest when mergers and acquisitions occur.
5.	Review workers' compensation insurance carriers' payments and denials of medical benefits and supplemental income benefits. Determine whether carries' actions are reasonable and consistent with the overall design of the law.
Committee:	House Business and Industry
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Committee on Business and Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1994 : a report to the House of Representatives, 74th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	State agency mandated reports | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.73 b964
Session:	73rd R.S. (1993)
Online version:	View report [111 pages  File size: 3,533 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the various insurance pools that provide workers' compensation coverage for public entities (such as cities, counties, school districts, water districts, etc.) to determine whether regulation is needed to protect members and claimants, or to otherwise protect the integrity of the pool.
2.	Study the method by which the state provides workers' compensation insurance coverage to its employees. Determine whether changes in organization and management would reduce injuries to employees, improve loss control and claims handling or otherwise enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of the program.
3.	Conduct active oversight of agencies under the committee's jurisdiction, including a study of mandated reports to the legislature and legislative agencies. The study should consist of a review of the legislative reporting requirements of all agencies to identify areas where reporting obligations could be streamlined and agency accountability improved. The committee shall make specific recommendations about the continuation, modification or elimination of required legislative reports.
Committee:	House Business and Commerce
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Committee on Business and Commerce, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Franchise agreements | Gasoline | Gasoline prices | Oil industry | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 b964
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [38 pages  File size: 1,232 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the franchise law in Texas.
2.	Study retaliatory firings of employee's who have filed worker's compensation claims.
3.	Review market prices on sales of refined petroleum products.
Committee:	Senate Economic Development, Interim
Title:	Interim report - Employee leasing practices
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report, 72nd Legislature, employee leasing practices / Senate Interim Committee on Economic Development.
Subjects:	Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Health insurance | Staff leasing | Unemployment benefits | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 em73
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [41 pages  File size: 1,553 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	The Committee shall study employee leasing practices.
Committee:	House Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Committee on Insurance, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Legislature.
Subjects:	Age discrimination | Americans with Disabilities Act | Automobile insurance | Credit insurance | Dentists | Health insurance | Insurance industry | Insurance, Texas Department of | Medically uninsured | Office of Public Interest Counsel | Senior citizens | Texas Catastrophic Property Insurance Association | Uninsured motorists | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 in7
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [63 pages  File size: 2,598 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 18. A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
2.	Monitor and coordinate with the Texas Health Policy Task Force as it relates to accessible and affordable health care insurance.
3.	Study no-fault auto insurance.
4.	Study the impact on current Texas insurance policies of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
5.	Study supervision, conservation, and liquidation of insurers.
6.	Study cancellation of personal auto insurance of the elderly.
7.	Study modifications of rate regulation in Texas concerning auto and fire allied lines.
8.	Study establishment and regulation of dental referral plans.
9.	Study credit life and credit accident and health regulation.
10.	Review the operation of the Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Association *
Committee:	Senate State Affairs, Interim
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report on the General Services Commission, Texas Department of Transportation, workers' compensation insurance fund : with special reports on Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, Commission on Fire Protection, Office of Administrative Hearings, State Pr
Subjects:	Administrative Hearings, State Office of | Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Ethics Commission, Texas | Fire Protection, Texas Commission on | General Services Commission, Texas | Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund | Transportation, Texas Department of | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.72 st29sr
Session:	72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version:	View report [67 pages  File size: 2,406 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	The Committee shall examine the functions of the Department of Transportation, including issues ranging from organization to regulatory procedures.
2.	The Committee shall study and monitor the use of the Workers' Compensation State Fund.
3.	The Committee shall monitor the operations of the General Services Commission as amended by HB 39, 72nd Legislature, 2nd Called Session.
4.	Monitor legislation related to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Ethics Commission, Auto Theft Prevention Authority, Commission on Fire Protection, and the Office of the Comptroller's Property Tax Division. Examine issues related to transition, organization and regulatory procedures. *
Committee:	Senate Workers' Compensation Insurance Policies, Special
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Final report and recommendations to the 71st Legislature, second called session / Special Committee on Worker's Compensation Rate-Making.
Subjects:	Insurance rates | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.71 w891
Session:	71st R.S. (1989)
Online version:	View report [19 pages  File size: 502 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	To conduct an investigation of the rate-making and oversight policies for workers compensation insurance policies.
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	A report to the 71st Texas Legislature / Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Subjects:	Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 w891
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View report [25 pages  File size: 1,276 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Conduct a detailed study of worker's compensation systems in Texas, the impact of the system on employees and employers, and how other states have addressed the problems that Texas now faces. The study may include but need not be limited to the following items: (1) a study to gather information relating to the procedure for the payment of claims; (2) a determination of the actual impact of the workers' compensation system on economic development and job creation; (3) an investigation of the system provided by current Texas law for the delivery of workers' compensation benefits to injured workers to determine whether of not that system is the most efficient possible; (4) a comprehensive study of the organization and operation of the Industrial Accident Board; (5) a probe into the means and methods by which employers may seek indemnification against claims for workers' compensation benefits; (6) a study of job safety in general and how to provide additional incentives to employers and employees to increase safety in the workplace; (7) an investigation of the workers' compensation assigned risk pool generally, with specific emphasis on finding ways to increase the efficiency of the pool and to decrease its operating costs; (8) a study of the manner in which other jurisdictions have approached the problems Texas currently faces in the delivery of workers' compensation benefits; and (9) any other matter calculated to yield useful data that could make the Texas workers' compensation system more efficient and more responsive to the needs of the most workers and employers.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	1988 WC claimant survey results
Library Catalog Title:	Results of the 1988 workers compensation claimant survey / prepared for the Joint Select Committee on Worker's Compensation, the Texas State Legislature ; prepared by the Public Policy Resources Laboratory, Texas A&M University.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 w891rc
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	Insurance issues
Library Catalog Title:	An examination of selected insurance issues in the Texas workers' compensation system : a report to the Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation / prepared by the Texas Research League.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 w891r
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	Occupational safety and health
Library Catalog Title:	Occupational safety and health in Texas workplaces : a study for the Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance : job safety information system.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 w891o
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	HCR 27, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S.
Library Call Number:	HCR 27
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View document [3 pages  File size: 268 kb]
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	State profiles
Library Catalog Title:	Research papers of the Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance : state profiles.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 W891RS
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View document [204 pages  File size: 2,925 kb]
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	Research papers
Library Catalog Title:	Research papers of the Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 W891RP
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View document [896 pages  File size: 14,626 kb]
Committee:	Joint Workers Compensation, Select
Title:	Research papers - summary
Library Catalog Title:	Summary research papers of the Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Library Call Number:	L1836.70 W891S
Session:	70th R.S. (1987)
Online version:	View document [189 pages  File size: 2,691 kb]
Committee:	House Workers' Compensation, Select, Interim
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the House Select Interim Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance, 69th Legislature : to the speaker and the members of the Texas House of Representatives, 70th Legislature.
Subjects:	Insurance rates | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.69 w892
Session:	69th R.S. (1985)
Online version:	View report [61 pages  File size: 1,971 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Conduct a state-by-state survey of the premium rate levels and the workers' compensation benefits provided to determine if Texas premiums and benefit levels are consistent with those found in other states and, where significant variances occur, to determine the underlying causes for such variances. Underlying causes for study by the committee should include, but not be limited to, differences in the rights and duties of the employer, employee and the insurers, and differences between common law and statutory methods of recovery.
2.	Study practices and procedures of the Industrial Accident board including, but not limited to, cost containment efforts, fees and costs related to professional services, claims settlement practices and determination of indemnity benefits. Examine similar boards in other states to determine if Texas procedures should be changed or updated. Recommend legislative changes that will update and streamline board procedures and that will benefit both employee and employers in Texas.
3.	Review the rate formulas used to establish the manual rates for workers' compensation insurance focusing on the inclusion of trend factors, investment income, production expense and taxes in the rating formula.
4.	Study the operation of the assigned risk pool including the growth in number of insured and total premium and the profitability or unprofitability of the pool.
5.	Study existing regulation of the workers' compensation insurance system in Texas and to analyze the potential benefits of other insurance systems, including but not limited to, self insurance, competition rating and alternative coverages.
Committee:	House Business and Commerce
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report to the 69th Legislature, Texas House of Representatives / Committee on Business and Commerce.
Subjects:	Bond issues | Consumer protection | Economic development | Exports | High tech industry | High technology | Municipal bonds | Private activity bonds | School bonds | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.68 b964
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View report [7 pages  File size: 333 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	To examine current laws and proposed measures from the 68th Session dealing with the sale of health spa memberships and resort time-share vacations to determine if Texas consumers need additional protection.
2.	To study the level and type of public and tax-exempt debt in Texas compared to other state and the manner in which these programs are authorized and created.
3.	To consider the changing nature of the Texas economy and whether current economic development activities are responsive to technological changes. Specifically look at export development and whether the Export Development Act of 1982 contains opportunities for action by the State of Texas.
4.	To consider whether Texas' Workers' Compensation Program should include rehabilitative services.
5.	To study the state's role in the development and attraction of higher technology industry to Texas.
Committee:	Joint Farmworker Insurance
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Joint Committee on Farmworker Insurance.
Subjects:	Agricultural labor | Migrant labor | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.68 f229
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View report [4 pages  File size: 154 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Examine and evaluate the insurance needs of farm workers and develop proposed legislation to address these needs.
Committee:	Joint Farmworker Insurance
Title:	Recommendations and draft legislation
Library Catalog Title:	Recommendations and draft legislation to the members of the Sixty-eighth Legislature / Joint Committee on Farmworker Insurance.
Subjects:	Agricultural labor | Migrant labor | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.68 f229r
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View report [141 pages  File size: 5,261 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Examine and evaluate the insurance needs of farm workers and develop proposed legislation to address these needs.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Senate Jurisprudence
Title:	Bail Bond committee documentation: meeting notes, law review and newspaper articles, legislation, etc.
Library Catalog Title:	Minutes
Library Call Number:	L1803.9 J979 68
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View document [228 pages]
Committee:	Senate Jurisprudence
Title:	SR 653
Library Call Number:	SR 653
Session:	68th R.S. (1983)
Online version:	View document [7 pages  File size: 536 kb]
Committee:	Senate Jurisprudence
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	[Workers' compensation report].
Subjects:	Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.67 j979sw 1983D
Session:	67th R.S. (1981)
Online version:	View report [223 pages  File size: 9,327 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Initiate a study of the Texas workers' compensation laws.
Supporting documents
Committee:	Senate Jurisprudence
Title:	SR 723
Library Call Number:	SR 723
Session:	67th R.S. (1981)
Online version:	View document [3 pages  File size: 670 kb]
Committee:	House Employment Practices
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report of the Committee on Employment Practices, Texas House of Representatives, 66th Legislature.
Subjects:	Crime victims | Crime Victims' Compensation Fund | Food stamps | Public retirement systems | Social Security | Unemployment | Unemployment benefits | Welfare | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.66 em74
Session:	66th R.S. (1979)
Online version:	View report [46 pages  File size: 1,563 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Review all aspects of the worker's compensation law including: coverage, weekly payments for temporary total disability. benefits for permanent disability, administrative rules, penalties to insure that the responsibilities of the law are fulfilled, the feasibility of self-insurance, and other related matters. These efforts should be coordinated with the Committee on Insurance.
2.	Monitor the organizational activities of the State Pension Review Board.
3.	Review the administration of the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Study fine collection and claims processing and make recommendations for improvement. Summarize federal legislation on crime victims compensation. *
4.	Oversight activities shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 66th Regular Session of the Legislature. Procedures suggested for this purpose during the last interim are recommended. The agencies include: Texas Employment Commission, Merit System Council, Texas Department of Labor and Standards, Industrial Accident Board, State Pension Review Board, and Office of the Attorney General - Worker's Compensation.
5.	Study the relationship between the numbers of Social Security and worker's compensation beneficiaries to determine if a formula could be devised to use both programs in providing benefits.
6.	Study the relationship between the numbers of unemployed, Unemployment Insurance recipients, and recipients of A.F.D.C. and Food Stamps.
7.	Monitor the activities of the Industrial Accident Board with regard to the implementation of the Crime Victims Compensation Act.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Employment Practices
Title:	Workers' compensation - transcript
Library Catalog Title:	Public hearing before the Employment Practices Committee.
Library Call Number:	L1836.66 em74h 1
Session:	66th R.S. (1979)
Committee:	House Employment Practices
Title:	Workers' compensation - transcript
Library Catalog Title:	Public hearing before the employement practices committee.
Library Call Number:	L1836.66 em74h 2
Session:	66th R.S. (1979)
Committee:	House Self-Insurance of Workers' Compensation Claims, House Joint
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Final report / Joint Committee on Self-Insurance of Workers' Compensation Claims.
Subjects:	Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.65 SE48
Session:	65th R.S. (1977)
Online version:	View report [25 pages  File size: 1,020 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	A study of the advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility of and legislation necessary to achieve a system of self-insurance for workers compensation insurance claims.
Supporting documents
Committee:	House Self-Insurance of Workers' Compensation Claims, House Joint
Title:	Joint committee studies.
Library Call Number:	LRL
Session:	65th R.S. (1977)
Online version:	View document [7 pages]
Committee:	House Judiciary
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Interim report, sixty-fifth legislative session / Committee on Judiciary, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects:	Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.64 j898 v. 3
Session:	64th R.S. (1975)
Online version:	View report [55 pages  File size: 2,000 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Study the Texas workers compensation system. Investigate the potential for abuse of the system. Review the nature and level of benefits provided to injured workers, and the reasons for the exclusion of certain categories of workers from the system. Compare the Texas program with the national standards established by the National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws. *
Committee:	Senate Unemployment Compensation and Workmen's Compensation Laws, Interim
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report. Texas. Legislature. Senate. Interim Committee to Study Texas Unemployment Compensation and Workmens Compensation Laws.
Subjects:	Unemployment benefits | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	L1836.62 un2
Session:	62nd R.S. (1971)
Online version:	View report [168 pages  File size: 8,564 kb]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	Make inquiry as to the need for an increase in benefits for workmen's compensation and for unemployment compensation, and shall determine an adequate formula for these benefits, based on a percentage of average weekly wage.
Committee:	Senate Texas Employer's Insurance Association, Investigate
Title:	Majority Report
Library Catalog Title:	Reports.
Subjects:	Lobbyists | State employee salaries | Texas Employers Insurance Association | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	S.J. of Tex., 38th Leg., R.S. 1152 (1923)
Session:	38th R.S. (1923)
Online version:	View report [4 pages]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	To make an investigation into the affairs and conduct of the Texas Employer's Insurance Association. *
Committee:	Senate Texas Employer's Insurance Association, Investigate
Title:	Minority Report
Library Catalog Title:	Reports.
Subjects:	Lobbyists | State employee salaries | Texas Employers Insurance Association | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number:	S.J. of Tex., 38th Leg., R.S. 1155 (1923)
Session:	38th R.S. (1923)
Online version:	View report [6 pages]
Charge:	This report should address the charge below.
1.	To make an investigation into the affairs and conduct of the Texas Employer's Insurance Association. *

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

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