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44 Document(s) [ Subject: Federal funds ]

Supporting documents
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 9, 2022
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View document [119 pages  File size: 5,578 kb]
Committee: House Environmental Regulation
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abandoned oil wells | Air pollution | Air pollution control technology | Economic development | Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. | Federal funds | Hazardous substances | Texas Emissions Reduction Plan | Wastewater management |
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [28 pages  File size: 1,043 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 1680, 87th R.S. relating to the regulation of on-site sewage disposal systems on certain leased land that is owned by the federal government;
  • HB 4472, 87th R.S. relating to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP); and
  • SB 900, 87th R.S. which updates performance and safety standards for chemical storage vessels.
2. Evaluate the allocation of TERP funds for effective air pollution reduction programs. Review which existing programs are over or under-subscribed and identify unrealized opportunities that would further program goals.
3. Review recent passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law No. 117-58), specifically funds that may bolster efforts to clean up polluted sites and plug wells and how federal funds can be used to complement state efforts on well plugging and pollution clean-up.
4. Monitor newly adopted and proposed federal regulations that could directly impact economic development, manufacturing, and industrial activities that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee, including regulations adopted or proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Environmental Regulation
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, May 25, 2022
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View document [9 pages  File size: 115 kb]
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bail | Border security | Coronavirus | Economy | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal funds | Harris County | Homestead exemptions | Hospitals | Inflation | Investment of public funds | Long-term care | Medicaid | Mental health services | Nursing homes | Operation Lone Star (Border security) | Property tax exemptions | Property taxes | Public retirement systems | Recidivism | Retirees | Russia | School finance | State employee salaries | State employee turnover | Tax and expenditure limits | Tax revenue | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 F49
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [108 pages  File size: 4,001 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Federal Funds: Report on the state use of federal COVID-19 relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, and similar federal legislation. Examine local use of federal relief funding, including funding provided to school districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Evaluate the overall fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state agencies, including costs incurred due to federal mandates. Identify barriers to the effective utilization of funds and make recommendations on the expenditure of unappropriated funds. In addition, evaluate and report on the spending by state agencies that have been utilizing "one-time" federal funding (temporary enhancements, e.g. FMAP and ESSER) sources, where federal funding will likely be significantly reduced in future biennia.
2. Property Tax Relief: Examine and recommend ways to reduce Texans' property tax burden. Review and report on proposals to use or dedicate state revenues in excess of the state spending limit to eliminate the school district maintenance and operations property tax.
3. Inflation: Review and report on the effect inflation is having on the business community and state government, including state salaries, retiree benefits, the state economy, and cost of state services.
4. Inflation: Review and report on the impact of inflation on units of local governments' revenue collections and property taxpayers' tax bills, including the homestead exemption.
5. Tax Exemptions: Examine Texans' current tax exemptions and report on whether adjustments are merited because of inflation or any other factors.
6. Russia Divestiture: Examine and report on options for state asset owners to divest their positions in companies that invest in the Russian Federation.
7. State Pension Reforms: Monitor the implementation of recent statewide pension reforms to the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
8. Bail Bond Reform: Monitor the implementation of recent bail bond reform legislation along with its economic impact on the judicial and correctional system. Assess any barriers to implementation, the law’s effect on pretrial release and jail populations, and ways to further promote public safety and efficiency.
9. Operation Lone Star: Monitor appropriations and spending supporting Operation Lone Star. Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of spending to secure the southern border. Identify and report on resources needed to ensure support for the State National Guard, as well as overall resources necessary for border security for future legislative consideration.
10. Long-term Care Funding: Examine state investments in the long-term nursing home care system. Study nursing facility funding issues and the impact of the pandemic on capacity and delivery of care. Explore nursing facility quality metrics and recommend strategies to improve the sustainability of the long-term care workforce.
11. Medicaid: Monitor the financial impact of federal decision-making affecting supplemental Medicaid funding for Texas hospitals and health care systems, including negotiations between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Texas Medicaid agency regarding the state's 1115 Medicaid waiver and other federal proposals reducing supplemental funding streams for Texas.
12. Mental Health Delivery: Examine the state mental health service delivery system. Study the state's Comprehensive Plan for State-Funded Inpatient Mental Health Services and the Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan and evaluate the existing state investments in mental health services and state hospital capacity. Review current forensic and civil mental health service waitlists, and recommend ways to improve coordination and outcomes to reduce waitlists. Explore and report on options for additional mental health service capacity, including building state hospitals in the Panhandle and Rio Grande Valley areas.
Committee: House Human Services
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border issues | Child abuse prevention | Child Protective Services | Coronavirus | Data management | Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of | Family preservation | Federal funds | Healthy Texas Women | Long-term care | Managed care | Medicaid | Medicare | Senior citizens | Services for persons with disabilities | Unaccompanied minors | Undocumented immigrants |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 H88
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [39 pages  File size: 2,582 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the impact of children, including unaccompanied minors, crossing the Texas-Mexico border on the Department of Family and Protective Services child protective services programs. Consider ways to encourage consistent, transparent, and timely review of abuse and neglect of these children. Consider strategies to ensure better coordination and collaboration among local agencies, faith-based organizations, the private sector, non-profits, and law enforcement to reduce the incidence of abuse and neglect fatalities and human trafficking of migrating children. Identify any particularized services that these children will need and assess the costs of providing these services.
2. Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
3. 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:
  • Legislation implementing the Healthy Families, Healthy Texas initiative, including:
    • HB133, 87th R.S. relating to the provision of benefits under Medicaid and the Healthy Texas Women program; and
    • Relevant provisions of HB 2658, 87th R.S. relating to the administration and operation of the Medicaid managed care program, especially those provisions that relate to continuous eligibility for a child for Medicaid; and
  • HB 3041, 87th R.S. related to the implementation of the Family Preservation Services Pilot Program.
4. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
5. Evaluate current prevention and early intervention programs and make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of these programs in reducing child abuse and neglect.
6. Monitor implementation of SB 1, 87th R.S., Rider 30 (Health and Human Services Commission) and make recommendations for reducing the interest list for waiver services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and reducing associated staffing shortages.
7. Evaluate further action needed to improve the safety and quality of the foster care system, including preventing children in foster care from being without a placement and increasing recruitment of foster families. Identify methods to strengthen Child Protective Services processes and services, focusing on efforts for family preservation and eliminating fatalities within the foster care system. This evaluation should:
  • Study the causes for children without placement;
  • Assess the safety concerns for children without placement, including the use of out-of- state and temporary emergency placement for children without placement; injuries while in the care of Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) employees; and exposure to child sex trafficking; and
  • Study how and why children without placement frequently enter the juvenile justice and adult criminal justice systems and the steps DFPS is taking to identify and prevent these instances.
8. Assess the quality and effectiveness of the DFPS IMPACT system for security, transparency, and accuracy. Review DFPS processes relating to the integrity of digital case management. Evaluate whether DFPS data collection adequately responds to child wellbeing indicators.
9. Examine the long-term services and support system of care in Texas. Study workforce challenges for both institutional and community services. Assess opportunities to improve patient safety at senior living facilities. Consider mechanisms to promote a stable, sustainable, and quality-based long-term care system to address current and future needs of the state.
10. Monitor federal decisions that may impact the delivery and financial stability of the state's health programs, including: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ rescission of its prior approval of the State’s 1115 Waiver, the state and federal negotiations of the Medicaid directed payment programs (including hospital finance methods), federal changes to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program and the exclusion of certain costs from the uncompensated care program authorized through the 1115 Waiver.
Committee: House International Relations and Economic Development
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border crossings | Border economy | Border issues | Child care | Coronavirus | Economic development incentives | Economy | Federal funds | International trade | Investment of public funds | Mexico | Russia | Semiconductor industry | Unemployment | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 EC74IR
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [44 pages  File size: 1,762 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the impact that trade across the Texas-Mexico border has on the Texas economy. Consider the impact of the recent increase in border migration on transnational trade, including its effects on the communities along the border, points of entry, and access by Texas businesses to supplies, labor, materials, and markets in Mexico. (Joint charge with Committee on Transportation)
2. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HB 619, 87th R.S., relating to developing a strategic plan to support the child-care workforce;
  • HB 1792, 87th R.S., relating to the evaluation of child-care providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program;
  • HB 2607, 87th R.S., relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Workforce Commission and local workforce development boards regarding the provision of childcare and the subsidized childcare program;
  • HB 3767, 87th R.S., relating to measures to support the alignment of education and workforce development with state workforce needs, including the establishment of the Tri- Agency Workforce Initiative; and
  • SB 1555, 87th R.S., relating to establishing reimbursement rates for certain child-care providers participating in the subsidized childcare program.
3. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
4. Monitor the state’s economic recovery and identify obstacles impeding the state’s economic recovery. Examine the economic impact of inflation on both employers and employees. Examine global supply chain disruptions on state commerce and the flow of trade at Texas ports. Explore opportunities to attract businesses to Texas that have outsourced elements of their supply chain to foreign countries.
5. Examine current economic development incentive programs and identify opportunities to enhance job creation in Texas. Make recommendations to promote transparency and enhance effectiveness of such programs.
6. Evaluate Texas’ current efforts to attract semiconductor investment to the state. Identify potential strengths and vulnerabilities that could impact the success of Texas’ semiconductor industry and the ability to create and maintain a reliable semiconductor supply chain.
7. Evaluate labor shortages and Texas’ unemployment numbers. Identify initiatives within the Texas Workforce Commission to expand job training and apprenticeship opportunities to help meet labor demands. Identify opportunities to increase outreach and information regarding career development.
8. Review the impact that trade with Russia has on the Texas economy, including Texas manufacturers. Consider the impact of Texas investment in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impacts of any proposed investment restrictions on access by Texas businesses and the Texas scientific and technological community to capital investment, global markets, and competitive knowledge.
Committee: House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border issues | Child support | Coronavirus | Court congestion | Family violence | Federal funds | Juvenile detention facilities | Juvenile Justice Department, Texas | Juvenile justice system | Operation Lone Star (Border security) | Probation | Protective orders | Unaccompanied minors | Undocumented immigrants |
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 2,822 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the impact of children, including unaccompanied minors, crossing the Texas-Mexico border on the juvenile justice system, including gang violence. Identify any particularized services that children, including unaccompanied minors, will need and assess the costs of providing these services.
2. Examine current caseloads and capacity issues for courts handling matters related to the Texas-Mexico border. Evaluate the preparedness of the court system to handle increases in caseloads that may result from the border crisis response and make recommendations to ensure the continued fair and efficient administration of justice in the state in addressing any increased caseloads. (Joint charge with Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence)
3. Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
4. 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 4544, 87th R.S., relating to providing children committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department with certain documents on discharge or release, authorizing a fee.
5. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
6. Examine obstacles to the reporting of domestic violence and how these obstacles contribute to the difficulty in obtaining and enforcing a protective order. Examine new technologies that could facilitate domestic violence reporting without putting victims at risk of further violence and harm.
7. Explore ways to modernize the juvenile justice system for youth on probation and incarcerated youth. Review statewide resource allocation, including available staffing, and identify potential geographic limitations. Investigate the best practices of smaller specialized facilities for youth committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department while leveraging the Department's current facilities and staff. Analyze the current gaps in county-level services and funding and make recommendations to address those gaps.
8. Examine workforce issues at state and local juvenile correctional facilities and consider the state's incentives to recruit quality staff. Consider the geographic areas where specialty providers are concentrated and the viability of opening specialized facilities for the state's youth with the highest therapeutic need to relieve the state's current rural facilities struggling with staffing. Consider consistent investments the state can make in local probation to encourage their facilities to divert youth from the juvenile justice system.
9. Study how child support is calculated and administered in Texas and how the Texas method compares to other states' plans for calculating child support, including identifying modern trends across the country for calculating child support. Consider how alternative methods for calculating child support affect each parents' share of responsibility for child support, health care, childcare, and other matters in other jurisdictions compared to Texas.
Committee: House Public Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border education | Border issues | Career preparedness | Children's mental health | Coronavirus | Educational accountability | Educational tests | Federal funds | Parent-school relationships | Public schools | School finance | Sex education | Special education | State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness | Teacher retention | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher salaries | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | Undocumented immigrant students |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 Ed84h
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [118 pages  File size: 5,785 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the impact, including any financial impact, to the Texas public school system of an increase in the number of children crossing the Texas-Mexico border. Review the history, any applicable precedents, and the legal landscape regarding the education of migrant children in Texas’s public schools.
2. Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
3. 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 1525, 87th R.S., and HB 3, 86th R.S., relating to public school finance and public education;
  • HB 4545, 87th R.S., relating to assessment of public school students and providing accelerated instruction;
  • SB 1365, 87th R.S., relating to public school organization, accountability, and fiscal management;
  • SB 1716, 87th R.S., relating to supplemental special education services and instructional materials for certain public school students; and
  • HB 3906, 86th R.S., relating to the assessment of public school students, including the development and administration of assessment instruments, and technology permitted for use by students.
4. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
5. Identify and examine efforts to ensure that parents have a meaningful role in their children’s education. Recommend necessary changes in both independent school district board and open- enrollment charter governing board governance to protect the right of parents to participate in their child’s education.
6. Examine partnerships between K-12, higher education institutions, and employers that promote postsecondary and career readiness and identify current obstacles that public schools, higher education institutions, and employers face. Make recommendations to ensure career and technical education programs, internships, apprenticeships, and other opportunities are more accessible.
7. Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce, and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state. (Joint charge with Committee on Higher Education)
8. Study the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 learning loss and best practices that exist to address learning loss. Monitor the implementation of state and local plans to address students' achievement gaps. Make recommendations for supporting the state and local efforts to increase academic development.
9. Examine the impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health, including the availability and workload of mental health professionals across the state and their role in the public school system. Make recommendations to reduce or eliminate existing barriers to providing mental health services in a traditional classroom setting or through teletherapy.
10. Study the unfulfilled recommendations from the 2016 Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. Evaluate the state’s progress on assessments and accountability and consider possible legislation to support the recommendations from the report. Study and recommend measures needed at the state level to prevent unintended consequences to students, campuses, and districts, including changes that could improve the system for students or help public schools serving a disproportionate number of educationally disadvantaged students impacted by the pandemic.
Committee: House Transportation
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternative fuel vehicles | Border economy | Border issues | Coronavirus | Electric vehicles | Federal funds | Freight | Highway finance | International trade | License plates | Motor Vehicles, Texas Department of | Ports | Railroads | Ships and shipping | Texas Mobility Fund | Transportation planning | Trucking |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 T687
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [74 pages  File size: 2,966 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the impact that trade across the Texas-Mexico border has on the Texas economy. Consider the impact of the recent increase in border migration on transnational trade, including its effects on the communities along the border, points of entry, and access by Texas businesses to supplies, labor, materials, and markets in Mexico. (Joint charge with Committee on International Relations & Economic Development)
2. Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
3. 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 2219, 87th R.S., relating to the issuance of Texas Mobility Fund obligations;
  • HB 3514, 87th R.S., relating to the functions of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles; and
  • HB 3927, 87th R.S., relating to temporary motor vehicle tags.
4. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
5. Study current and future transportation needs and consider improvements to ensure that Texas is adequately planning for the state's population growth forecasts. Evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on transportation projects and investment decisions.
6. Study the impacts that increased federal funding, formula changes, and new programs authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will have on state transportation projects. Evaluate strategies to ensure Texas communities can maximize receipt of federal grant funds.
7. Study the impact of the increasing sale and use of electric and alternatively fueled vehicles on revenue predictions for the state highway fund. Recommend a road use revenue equalization methodology to create fairness and parity between gasoline, electric and alternatively fueled vehicles.
8. Study policies impacting truck transportation, a key link in the supply-chain, including utilizing state property and right-of-way for natural gas fueling stations and truck parking, the potential shortage of drivers and sellers of commercial trucks, the shortage of truck parking options to accommodate hours of service regulations, and ways to reduce border crossing wait times. Examine regulatory and statutory impediments to connected vehicle and autonomous technologies aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of trucking in Texas.
9. Examine the ability of the state’s seaports to promote the public purposes of state economic growth, diversification, and commerce through development of port-owned properties within their boundaries. Review the investments needed for Texas ports to remain competitive in handling increased cargo volumes and ensuring a resilient supply chain.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery, subcommittee meeting handouts and testimony, January 12, 2018 (Hurricane Harvey response)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [62 pages  File size: 9,966 kb]
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery, subcommittee meeting handouts and testimony, February 20, 2018 (Hurricane Harvey response)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [14 pages  File size: 883 kb]
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery, subcommittee meeting handouts and testimony, January 12, 2018 (Hurricane Harvey response, Texas Emissions Reduction Program, solid waste disposal fee, cost-recovery model)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [100 pages  File size: 11,036 kb]
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alamo | Alternatives to incarceration | Appropriations bill riders | Business taxes | Criminal justice | Delinquent taxes | Disaster relief | Driver Responsibility Program | Economy | Emergency medical services | Federal aid | Federal funds | Fees | General Land Office, Texas | Hurricane Harvey | Interest rates | Juvenile justice system | Legislative Budget Board, Texas | Natural disasters | Personal property taxes | Probation | Rainy Day Fund | State budget certification | State budgets | Tax refunds | Texas Emissions Reduction Plan |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 F49
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [64 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor all funds currently being used to address Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery. Identify ways to maximize the use of federal funds and ensure the efficient use of state funds.
2. Evaluate the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey on the Texas economy and the gulf coast region.
3. Alamo Historical Site Renovation: Monitor the expenditures of state funds appropriated to the General Land Office for the preservation, maintenance, and operation of the Alamo historical site. Ensure the funds are spent to emphasize the architectural design and the historical impact the battle had on the development of Texas as a nation and as a state.
4. Economic Stabilization Fund: Examine options to increase investment earnings of the Economic Stabilization Fund in a manner that mini mizes overall risk to the fund balance. Investment options should ensure the liquidity of a sufficient portion of the balance so that the legislature has the resources necessary to address the needs of the state, including natural disasters. Evaluate how the Economic Stabilization Fund constitutional limit is calculated; consider alternative methods to calculate the limit, and alternative uses for funds above the limit.
5. Texas Emission Reduction Plan: Review the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) and its economic benefits to the state. Examine whether the state's investment in TERP, including transfers from the Department of Transportation, are being effectively utilized to comply with federal air quality standards, reduce pollution, and protect the public health of Texans.
6. Request to Exceed Review: Review all riders requiring interim action by the Legislative Budget Board to reduce the number of times interim budget modification is necessary.
7. Fee Structure Review: Review state General Revenue - Dedicated fees and make recommendations to reduce fees and lessen reliance on General Revenue - Dedicated fee balances to certify the budget.
8. Adult and Juvenile Corrections Funding: Examine the funding patterns used to fund the juvenile justice system and adult probation departments. Develop recommendations to ensure the Texas Juvenile Justice Department budget does not dis-incentivize the use of cost-effective best practices such as diverting youth from the juvenile justice system, providing services to youth in their community, and keeping youth closer to home. In addition, review funding to adult probation departments and ensure it provides for an equitable distribution to all Texas Probation Departments.
9. Trauma Funding: Review revenue sources currently funding the state's trauma system and the impact of declining revenues and balances in General Revenue - Dedicated accounts. Evaluate the impact of statutory changes affecting trauma system funding, including efforts to eliminate the Driver Responsibility Program. Examine ways to ensure sustainability of the trauma system in Texas.
10. Property Tax on Business Personal Property: Evaluate the property tax as it applies to business personal property and the current $5oo exemption. Quantify the economic effect of taxing business personal property and determine whether the tax places Texas at a competitive disadvantage relative to other states. Evaluate the burden on taxpayers and local governments of administering the property tax on business personal property and determine whether the current $soo exemption should be increased.
11. Interest Rate Disparity: Evaluate the rate of interest charged on delinquent property taxes and delinquent state taxes, compared to the rate of interest paid on property tax refunds and state tax refunds. • Evaluate the effect of interest rate disparity on the assessment decisions of governments and the payment decisions of taxpayers. • Quantify the amount by which state and local governments profit from interest rate disparity. • Identify best practices among other states regarding interest rates charged and paid. • Recommend a plan and timeline to reduce interest rate disparity.
12. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of the following funding initiatives: • CPS Critical Needs - Monitor the impact of salary increases and additional caseworkers allocated to Child Protective Services last interim. • Health Care Costs Across State Agencies - Monitor coordination efforts among state agencies to improve health care and reduce costs pursuant to Article IX, Section 10.06 and Section 10.07. • Behavioral Health - Monitor the state's progress in coordinating behavioral health services and expenditures across state government, pursuant to Article IX section 10.04, including the impact of new local grant funding provided by the 85th Legislatu re. • Sporting Goods Sales Tax - Identify state and local park needs and determine whether the Sporting Goods Sales Tax is meeting those needs.
Committee: House General Investigating and Ethics
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Campaign finance and expenditure reports | Charities | Conflicts of interest | Disaster relief | Employee benefits | Ethics Commission, Texas | Federal funds | Financial disclosures | Gifts and donations | Government ethics | Government travel | Hurricane Harvey | Judicial campaigns | Lobbyists | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | State agencies | State employee benefits | State employees |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 G286
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [64 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Maintain oversight of federal, state, local, and charitable funds spent in response to Hurricane Harvey. Investigate instances of waste, fraud, or abuse involving such funds. Ensure that the State of Texas is maximizing federal disaster aid.
2. Review conflict of interest laws governing public officers and employees to ensure that such laws are adequate to maintain the public’s confidence in government decision-making. Review personal financial statement requirements to ensure that the public has sufficient information on the private financial interests of public officers.
3. Review criminal penalties under Chapter 305, Government Code (registration of lobbyists) and recommend improvements to maintain the integrity of legislative and administrative processes.
4. Examine the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act and identify opportunities to improve the Act.
5. Review procedures and processes used at the Texas Ethics Commission. Identify ways to resolve complaints more efficiently.
6. Examine employment policies and practices at state agencies relating to the hiring of individuals who were terminated from employment with another state agency for misconduct.
7. Review the implementation of S.B. 73 (85R) relating to leave policies and procedures for state employees.
8. Examine laws and policies regulating travel by state agency officials to ensure that travel expenditures are in the best interest of the state.
9. Investigate the use of state agency resources to participate in trade associations and groups funded by industries regulated by the agency.
10. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
Committee: Senate Transportation
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Federal funds | Fines | Highway finance | Highways | Houston Ship Channel | Human trafficking | Hurricane Harvey | Ports | Toll roads | Traffic violations | Transportation planning |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 T685
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [70 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the state’s transportation infrastructure and make recommendations on how best to rebuild assets efficiently and effectively.
2. Funding Opportunities for Texas Ports: Review the state's appropriations for Texas' ports and the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund and make recommendations for increased investment to meet future needs.
3. Project Acceleration: Study and make recommendations regarding segregating state and federal transportation funding to accelerate project delivery.
4. Toll Road Penalties: Review penalty practices employed by toll authorities throughout the state and make recommendations to improve customer service and eliminate unjustified penalties.
5. Human Smuggling: Examine the anti-smuggling efforts of governmental and non-governmental entities under the committee's jurisdiction. Compare the findings to best practices in other states and make recommendations to help advance efforts in the fight against human smuggling.
6. Highway Naming: Review the state's policy related to the naming of state highways for individuals and make recommendations to limit and reform the criteria of such designations.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Transportation during the 85th Legislatu re, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/ or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: • Implementation of statutory changes specified in the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) sunset legislation. 1) requiring toll road entities to use toll revenue to pay back TxDOT for grants used to construct toll roads. 2) prohibiting TxDOT from operating or transferring a HOV lane as a tolled lane. 3) authorizing TxDOT to convert non-tolled lanes as toll lanes - only if the number of non-tolled lanes is greater than or equal to the number in existence before the toll conversion project. 4) prohibiting TxDOT from awarding contracts unless the contractor participates in E-verify; and • Progress of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) efforts to issue an annual permit for transporting overweight, sealed intermodal shipping containers on TxDOT approved routes within 30 miles of a port of entry or an international bridge.
Committee: House Defense and Veterans' Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Base realignment and closure | Federal funds | Hazlewood Act | Military and veterans benefits | Military bases | Real estate agents | Student aid | Veterans |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 D361
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [122 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Explore how encroachment (environmental, technological, and architectural) impacts the vital missions of our military bases in Texas and which policies can be put into place while retaining respect for private property rights, economic growth, and the operation of military facilities.
2. Explore adding notifications to the Texas Real Estate Commission Seller Disclosure Form, as well as a notification to buyers of new home construction, in order to inform buyers that a property may be located near a military installation or a military airport and could be affected by high noise or its air installation compatible use zones, or other operations.
3. Study the long-term viability of the Hazlewood Act, in particular the legacy tuition exemption provision. Review eligibility requirements and recommend changes to ensure that the program can remain solvent. Examine the costs of the program to institutions of higher education, including foregone tuition, additional infrastructure, administrative and instructional support costs, and the financial impact on nonveteran/legacy students. Analyze and report any effect changes to this program would have for veterans and their families. Review current data systems related to this exemption and recommend improvements to ensure quality and accuracy of information. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Higher Education)
4. Assess ways the State of Texas can further aid our federal military installations and their communities in order to minimize the negative consequences of a potential forthcoming BRAC round by the federal government.
5. Assess the continuing effect and the impact of sequestration and federal defense spending on Texas military bases, soldiers and their families, base communities, and Texas defense contractors. Identify solutions to address issues raised by federal policy.
6. Analyze whether unnecessary, redundant or punitive barriers exist for Texas Veterans pursuing educational or occupational careers upon completion of their military service. Study and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to allow veterans to receive the maximum college credit benefit for their service-related training in the armed forces.
7. 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.
Committee: House Defense and Veterans' Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border security | Endangered species | Federal funds | Land use regulations | Light pollution | Military bases | Military families | Military personnel | National Guard | Noise pollution | Occupational licenses | Suicide | Texas Military Preparedness Commission | Texas State Guard | Trees | Veterans | Veterans Commission, Texas | Voting by mail | Voting systems |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 D361
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [60 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the current role of all Texas state military forces. Identify changes that would enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the state guard, air guard, and national guard and all other components of our state military forces.
2. Monitor the implementation and impact of the MOVE Act on the state and on municipalities. Make legislative recommendations, as needed, to ensure a smooth implementation of the law. (Joint with the House Committee on Elections)
3. Study and make recommendations on how the state and local governments can work together to protect our federal military installations from unnecessary encroachment while still allowing appropriate use of land near bases to be used for nonmilitary purposes.
4. Determine any challenges to the training and operations of Texas' 15 military installations in light of recent reductions in federal defense spending. Additionally, review the current structure and mission of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission as a result of HB 2546 (81R). Recommend any legislative actions needed to sustain and improve the state's military preparedness.
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 82nd Legislature.
6. Examine issues not listed in the committee's interim charges, including suicide prevention and the process for active duty, former active duty and their spouses, and military personnel trasitioning into the workforce and seeking occupational licenses. *
Committee: House Texas Response to Federal Sequestration, Interim
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Federal budgets | Federal funds |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 F317
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [33 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Recommend ways that the state can prepare for looming tax increases and spending reductions caused by gridlock in Washington. Study how the sequestration process will affect the defense industry in Texas, the state budget, public and higher education and the tax burden on Texas families and businesses and develop specific legislative proposals. *
Committee: House Transportation
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bridges | Environmental protection | Federal funds | Highway finance | Highway maintenance | International trade | Mass transit | Panama Canal | Ports | Texas Mobility Fund | Traffic | Transportation | Transportation planning | Transportation, Texas Department of |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 T687
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [61 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the state of our current transportation infrastructure, including studying roadway, bridge, and waterway quality and long-range plans by the Texas Department of Transportation for maintaining these assets. Explore future needs of our infrastructure for the next decade and make recommendations to ensure long-range sufficiency.
2. Study the state's preparedness for the expansion of the Panama Canal and determine whether the state's infrastructure is ready for the increase in commerce.
3. Conduct a thorough review of the operations of transit organizations in Texas. Explore possible reforms to streamline and improve services to Texans.
4. Study the environmental review process for transportation projects and monitor the implementation of reforms newly passed by the 82nd Legislature. Continue to work with all stakeholders to develop any necessary changes. (Joint with the House Committee on Environmental Regulation)
5. Study transportation funding reforms and develop long-term state funding recommendations, with an eye on any federal reforms that become law. Explore options to eliminate "diversions" from Fund 6 to non-transportation-related programs. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations)
Committee: House Defense and Veterans' Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects: Border security | Call centers | Courts | Criminal justice | Federal funds | Homeland security | Land use regulations | Military bases | Military personnel | Veterans | Voting by mail |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 D361
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [38 pages  File size: 738 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Investigate strategies to address incompatible land use surrounding Texas military installations. Study approaches that minimize conflict with neighboring landowners.
2. Evaluate the advantages, including potential cost savings, of centralizing call center activities for referral to benefits providers for veterans.
3. Monitor and review the disbursement and use of border and homeland security funds. Evaluate the effectiveness in meeting the state's border and homeland security program goals and objectives. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations
4. Study ways the state can enhance military and overseas voters' ability to obtain and return balloting materials and reduce burdens on those voters' exercise of their right to vote. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Elections
5. Monitor the implementation of SB 1940, 81st R.S., which established veterans court programs in Texas, and examine the link between combat stress disorders of war veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and the onset of criminal behavior. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
6. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim charge recommendations to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Banks and banking | Driver Responsibility Program | Emergency medical services | Federal funds | Health care costs | Indigent health care | Medicaid | Medicaid fraud | Money transfers | Transportation planning | Transportation, Texas Department of | Trauma Facilty/EMS account |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 F49
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [62 pages  File size: 16,186 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review health care funding, focusing on the Medicaid program, Medicare Part D, hospital reimbursements and trauma and indigent care.
2. Study the method through which fees are collected under the Driver's Responsibility Program in order in maximize the amount of money for trauma funding and transportation. Look specifically at collection rates and develop means to enhance them.
3. Determine the number of commercial and consumer transactions, including wire transfers, that occur in Texas. Determine the amount of monies that are sent internationally from Texas. Study the feasibility of creating a pilot program in Harris County that captures a percentage of revenues from such transactions, and request an Opinion from the Attorney General's Office to pursue these revenues as a potential source for health care funding.
4. Review the process by which the Texas Department of Transportation Commission allocates funds to the districts through the Allocation Program. Include a description of all scoring mechanisms used in making allocations of resources and make recommendations for maximizing the use of these funds to meet Legislative objectives. Joint Charges with Senate Transportation & Homeland Security Committee.
5. Review the process by which the Texas Department of Transportation Commission determines which federal funding sources should be implemented to comply with funding reductions mandated by Congress. Assess the Commission's options for determining how projects that were to be funded out of these reduced revenue sources will be funded this biennium. Joint Charges with Senate Transportation & Homeland Security Committee.
Committee: House Transportation
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Transportation, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature
Subjects: Air transportation | Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority | Border crossings | Border issues | Border transportation | Burlington Northern Santa Fe | Counties | Electricity transmission and distribution | Electronic surveillance | Eminent domain | Federal funds | International trade | Land use regulations | Motor vehicle dealers | Motor vehicles | Ports | Railroads | Rental companies | Rights of way | State budgets | Transportation planning | Transportation, Texas Department of | Underground utility lines | Union Pacific |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 T687
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [63 pages  File size: 12,744 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the regulation of utilities by the Texas Department of Transportation relating to utility access along the edge of the road right-of-way and placement of utility facilities along public road rights-of-way. Recommend strategies for the Public Utility Commission and the Department of Transportation to deliver assets of value to the state.
2. Study the relationship between Texas Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Review the effectiveness and efficiency of the funding process for airports, and capacity needs for commercial and private demands. Examine further needs with regard to private and public airports.
3. Examine the transportation planning coordination of land use, including planning for large transportation corridors.
4. Research and study the permissibility of rental care companies to sell used rental motor vehicles on credit union premises and other locations not continuously used for the conduct of used rental motor vehicle sales. Analyze comparative laws from other states permitting such sales by rental car companies on premises other than those owned by the rental car companies.
5. Consider the rail relocation needs of the major metropolitan areas of Texas. Identify possible funding sources.
6. Study the economic infrastructure of the state's main trade corridors with special emphasis on the ability to enhance trade and transportation through increased use of technology. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Border and International Affairs)
7. Study the current border and coastal transportation infrastructure and any enhancements needed to meet gorwing international trade and economic development. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Border and International Affairs)
8. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Transportation and Homeland Security
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Animal diseases | Border crossings | Border issues | Child car seats | County courthouses | Driver licenses | Driving while intoxicated | Emergency management | Federal funds | Highway finance | Highway rest areas | Highways | Historic preservation | Homeland security | Official designations | Operation Linebacker | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Railroad crossings | Railroads | Real ID Act | Rights of way | Safe Routes to School Program | Semi-trailer trucks | Traffic safety | Transportation Enhancement Program | Transportation planning | Truck inspection stations | Underground utility lines | Undocumented immigrants | USA Patriot Act | Wright Amendment |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 In5hs
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [294 pages  File size: 21,985 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations for updating the state's overweight truck fees. Include an analysis and recommendations relating to the distribution of fees collected.
2. Monitor the impact of federal actions regarding the Patriot Act on homeland security activities in Texas. Make recommendations for statutory changes required to implement federal legislation and improve the efficiency of the process.
3. Study the implementation of SB 9, 79th R.S., relating to homeland security, and make recommendations to enhance its effectiveness. Focus on implementation of provisions relating to mutual aid, including the need for a statewide compact, agricultural inspection stations, the health alert network, radio and computer interoperability and the protection of drinking water and of vital infrastructure. Assess the feasibility of establishing and operating a statewide public building mapping information system for state-owned buildings.
4. Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Department of Transportation's ability to build, maintain, and relocate rail facilities. Monitor and report on the Departments ability to efficiently contract and provide funding for rail facility construction.
5. Evaluate and make recommendations relating to the naming of state highways and the criteria which should be followed in order to name a highway after a natural person. Include an analysis of criteria used in other states.
6. Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Department of Transportation's programs designed to increase safety on all state transportation facilities.
7. Monitor ongoing federal, state and local efforts along the Texas Mexico border to combat criminal activity and prevent illegal border crossings. Study other border state activities in regard to the safety, efficiency and security of border crossings. Include an assessment of the impact of security measures on trade and vehicular and pedestrian commerce.
8. Study and make recommendations relating to the relocation of utilities from state owned right-of-way, including an assessment of the costs of relocations, possible funding sources and methods to decrease delays associated with relocation. Joint Charge with Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
9. Review the process by which the Texas Department of Transportation Commission allocates funds to the districts through the Allocation Program. Include a description of all scoring mechanisms used in making allocations of resources and make recommendations for maximizing the use of these funds to meet Legislative objectives. Joint Charges with Senate Finance Committee.
10. Review the process by which the Texas Department of Transportation Commission determines which federal funding sources should be implemented to comply with funding reductions mandated by Congress. Assess the Commission's options for determining how projects that were to be funded out of these reduced revenue sources will be funded this biennium. Joint Charges with Senate Finance Committee.
Committee: Senate Infrastructure Development and Security
Title: Interim Report - Transportation
Library Catalog Title: Senate Committee on Infrastructure Development and Security report to the 79th Legislature : transportation.
Subjects: Driver Responsibility Program | Emergency medical services | Federal funds | Highway construction | Highway finance | Highway planning | Motor fuels taxes | Motor vehicle insurance | Regional mobility authorities | Texas Mobility Fund | Toll roads | Traffic violations | Trans-Texas Corridor | Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century | Transportation planning |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 In5t
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [74 pages  File size: 708 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the implementation and make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of HB 3588, 78th R.S., relating to the construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance, management, operation, ownership, and control of transportation facilities including, but not limited to, multimodal transportation and the progress, improvement, policing, and safety of transportation in Texas. Monitor and report on the adequacy and use of the trauma care funds generated as a result of the legislation and make recommendations for improving the funding of trauma care services.
2. Study the proof of financial responsibility verification program administered by Texas Department of Insurance and the Department of Public Safety and make recommendations for improving compliance by drivers in Texas.
3. Study and make recommendations for innovative approaches to highway construction and maintenance. Focus on recommendations for streamlining Texas Department of Transportation operations, including methods of expediting permitting procedures while maintaining environmental safeguards. Examine and make recommendations for regional options for increasing financing, including, but not limited to, the creation of a local option motor fuels tax.
4. Evaluate and make recommendations relating to funding allocations for TransTexas Corridor projects. Monitor and report on the status of the projects, including their impact on local, regional, and state transportation.
5. Study the federal re-authorization of TEA-21. Analyze and make recommendations relating to the impact of re-authorization on transportation in Texas, including an assessment of state plans and programs for implementing any required changes.
Committee: House Agriculture and Livestock
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2002 : a report to the House of Representatives, 78th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Agricultural subsidies | Agriculture | Agriculture, Texas Department of | Business loans | Crop dusters | Exotic species | Farms and farming | Federal funds | Homeland security | Terrorism |
Library Call Number: L1836.77 ag86
Session: 77th R.S. (2001)
Online version: View report [120 pages  File size: 3,909 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Evaluate the ability of the Texas agricultural community to gain access to capital markets throughout the state. Identify barriers to financing viable agricultural and value-added enterprises. Review and evaluate the finance programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Joint with House Committee on Financial Institutions.)
2. Identify the potential benefits associated with no-till farming. Discuss the conditions under which no-till practices are beneficial, as well as those where the practices may not be effective.
3. Gather information about the production, distribution and use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, including the aerial application of chemicals. Review government regulations and business practices to determine whether legislation is needed to protect life and property and to detect, interdict and respond to acts of terrorism.
4. Actively monitor the agencies and programs, including university programs under the committee's oversight jurisdiction. Monitor the progress of federal farm legislation and evaluate its effects on Texas producers.
5. Study the effects of exotic pests on Texas agriculture. Consider risk pathways, control strategies and potential impacts on the agricultural economy. Identify partnerships involving the private sector along with state and local governments.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 78th Legislature / Senate Committee on State Affairs.
Subjects: Federal funds | Federal government | Highway finance | Highway planning | Rights of way | Semi-trailer trucks | Transportation | Transportation Commission, Texas | Transportation infrastructure | Transportation, Texas Department of |
Library Call Number: L1836.77 st29a
Session: 77th R.S. (2001)
Online version: View report [197 pages  File size: 4,128 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Actively monitor the Texas Department of Transportation's update of the Texas Transportation Plan. The Committee shall assess the plan in terms of how it addresses relevant issues such as transportation funding, traffic congestion, multimodal transportation, rural transportation planning, NAFTA-related traffic, and establishment of acceptable levels of service for mobility. The Committee may make recommendations to improve upon planning procedures used by the Texas Department of Transportation as well as statutory changes necessary to facilitate implementation of the Texas Transportation Plan. The Committee may also recommend solutions to the state's transportation funding shortfall.
2. Monitor developments at the federal level relating to the re-authorization of TEA-21 and the creation of new innovative transportation financing techniques.
3. Evaluate developments related to the commercial trucking industry. This study should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: an evaluation of the state's ongoing efforts to enforce truck safety regulations efficiently and fairly; developments at the state and federal levels related to opening our highways to Mexican truck traffic; and the effect of heavy truck traffic on our state and local roadways.
4. Review the recently proposed TxDOT [Texas Department of Transportation] Access Management Rules and the associated draft Access Management Manual.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Charge 2 Devolution in the state
Library Catalog Title: Senate Committee on State Affairs report to the 77th Legislature : charge 2, studying the impact of devolution on the state.
Subjects: Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Federal funds | Federal government | Health, Texas Department of | Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of | Human Services, Texas Department of | Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Texas | State agencies | State Auditor's Office, Texas | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 st29a 2
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [93 pages  File size: 3,705 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the impact of devolution and other federal streamlining and efficiency efforts on major state agencies, including full-time equivalent employee (FTE) increases, major programmatic changes, and administrative costs to the state. The Committee shall also study conflicts and overlaps among agencies resulting from federally devolved functions and responsibilities. The Committee shall coordinate study of this issue with the Committee on Finance. The final preparation of the report will be the responsibility of the State Affairs Committee.
Committee: House Transportation
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Transportation, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Border transit corridors | Bridges | County roads | Driver licenses | Farm-to-market roads | Federal funds | GARVEE bonds | Graduated driver licenses | Highway finance | Highways - safety | Motor fuels taxes | North American Free Trade Agreement | Semi-trailer trucks | Speed limits | Teenage drivers | Toll roads | Traffic fatalities | Transportation bonds | Transportation, Texas Department of |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 t687
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [58 pages  File size: 2,220 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study ways the state and counties can ensure a safe, adequately funded county road and bridge system consistent with encouraging commerce and economic growth.
2. Study the advantages and disadvantages of a graduated driver's license program, including the experience of states that have recently enacted such programs.
3. Examine highway funding issues in light of the combined impact of rapid transportation growth and increased NAFTA traffic. Monitor state and federal developments related to funding and planning of NAFTA corridors.
4. Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction, including effects of legislation increasing speed limits.
Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim committee report of the Senate Finance Committee to the 75th Legislature.
Subjects: Child care | Computer networks | Data management | Federal funds | Federal government | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Information Resources, Texas Department of | Medicaid | State budgets | Telecommunications infrastructure | Tuition | University budgets | University finance | Welfare | Welfare reform |
Library Call Number: L1836.74 f49f
Session: 74th R.S. (1995)
Online version: View report [272 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To evaluate the impact on Texas government finance resulting from proposed changes in federal funding mechanisms and to make recommendations to implement changed funding mechanisms.
2. To monitor implementation of tuition and student use fee increases, HB 815, 74th R.S. and HB 1792, 74th R.S., by higher education institutions. The Committee shall issue a report identifying the impacts and uses of tuition and student use fee increases.
3. To evaluate use of emerging telecommunication infrastructure for efficiencies in collection and disbursement of state funds and to evaluate the impact of technology and its effect on the demand for state appropriations.
Committee: Senate Health and Human Services
Title: Interim report - Medicaid and welfare reform
Library Catalog Title: Medicaid and welfare reform : interim report.
Subjects: Federal funds | Indigent health care | Job training programs | Managed care | Medicaid | Medical savings accounts | Social service agencies | Welfare | Welfare reform | Welfare-to-work | Workforce |
Library Call Number: L1836.74 h349m
Session: 74th R.S. (1995)
Online version: View report [350 pages  File size: 15,412 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the development of federal waivers resulting from Medicaid and welfare reform legislation, SB 10, 74th R.S., and HB 1863, 74th R.S., to be submitted and negotiated with the federal Health Care Finance Administration.
2. Monitor the implementation of the Medicaid health care delivery system created by SB 10, 74th R.S., to ensure that the phase-in of the program is being carried out in a rapid but thorough manner.
3. Review and assess Medicaid reform legislation and welfare reform, SB 10, 74th R.S., and HB 1863, 74th R.S., and make recommendations for state legislation, if necessary, regarding modifications needed to ensure a smooth transition to statewide managed health care for indigent patients and enacting the reformed welfare system.
4. Establish a working group consisiting of Committee members, legislative staff, staff from the State Comptroller's Office, the Legislative Budget Office and other affected state agencies to monitor the activities in Congress regarding block grant funding and the impact these will have on Texas' health and human services related programs. Establish a mechanism for communicating these program impacts to the Congressional delegation.
5. In the event that Federal block grant legislation is enacted which affects health and human services programs, the working group should evaluate the impact on welfare and Medicaid reform legislation, HB 1863, 74th R.S., and SB 10, 74th R.S., and determine the ability of the state to proceed with enacting both pieces of legislation and evaluate the need to modify either piece of legislation to conform to federal requirements.
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Health and Human Services
Title: Interim minutes, letters to Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock with enclosures, and charts reflecting legislative recommendations submitted to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1803.9 H88 74
Session: 74th R.S. (1995)
Online version: View document [461 pages  File size: 10,303 kb]
Committee: House Transportation
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Committee on Transportation, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Eminent domain | Federal funds | Federal government | Hazardous spills | Hazardous substances | Highway finance | Property rights | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Railroad Commission of Texas | Rights of way | Transportation, Texas Department of |
Library Call Number: L1836.72 t687
Session: 72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version: View report [106 pages  File size: 4,305 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd Regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Committee on Transportation; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes.
2. Monitor activities of the Traffic Law Enforcement section of the Department of Public Safety and the Transportation Division of the Texas Railroad Commission.
3. Examine the transportation of hazardous materials in the state, with an emphasis on federal directives to the state.
4. Consider the effects on Texas of the federal transportation legislation, including the Federal Highway Reauthorization Act.
5. Examine the issues of condemnation as it affects transportation.
Committee: House State, Federal and International Relations
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Committee on State, Federal, and International Relations : to the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 72nd Legislature.
Subjects: Agriculture | Border economy | Border environment | Border health | Border issues | Border transportation | Colonias | Drinking water | Federal aid | Federal funds | International trade | Maquiladoras | Water quality management | Water supplies |
Library Call Number: L1836.71 st30
Session: 71st R.S. (1989)
Online version: View report [25 pages  File size: 1,273 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To monitor all activities and to have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 33.
2. To study the impact of health, environmental immigration and infrastructure improvements on the economy of the Texas-Mexico border area.
3. To study the existing maquiladora programs along the Texas-Mexico border and determine means by which foreign investment and participation can be enhanced.
4. To study the implementation and development of the European state of Texas International Trade Offices and the impact of the European Common Market (Europe 92) on international trade in Texas.
5. To study the implementation and development of the Asian State of Texas International Offices.
6. To study federal allocation of funds in Texas, including defense, research and federal formula programs and the role of the Office of State and Federal Relations.
7. To study international agriculture (joint study with Agriculture and Livestock).
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, Sixty-eighth Legislature : report of the Committee on Appropriations, Texas House of Representatives, Sixty-seventh Legislature.
Subjects: Federal funds | Government travel costs | Property insurance | State agencies | State budgets | University finance |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 ap65
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 1,452 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the implementation of federal budgetary changes and their impact on state agency programs, with emphasis on block grants versus categorical grants.
2. Coordinate, cooperate and assist the House Standing Committee with oversight functions for all agencies; review the method by which the new travel provisions dealing with increased per diem in high-cost areas are being implemented and review out-of-state travel expenses by those agencies which are authorized to have a higher per diem when traveling out of state; review the state policy in relation to the use of state vehicles, including aircraft, to determine what operations are the most efficient and practical.
3. Examine the state policy of funding to reimburse colleges and universities for uninsured losses to property; review the appropriate subcommittee process to determine what, if any, adjustments could be made to make the process work more efficiently; review and recommend any necessary changes in the current process and format through which agencies develop and submit operating budgets to the Executive and Legislative Budget Office.
4. Develop a suggested approach for implementation of the General Appropriations Act which allows the Legislature to set per diem of board members; Determine the feasibility of developing a way to divert fund balances that remain in special funds over and above the needs of the current biennium without the necessity for statutory change; review the method by which a capital projects budget could be developed for the General Appropriations Act.
Committee: Senate Human Resources
Title: Interim Report - Health Issues
Library Catalog Title: Response to Senate resolution 764 and Senate resolution 657 : rubella population, school health policy, medically needy issues, impact of new federalism.
Subjects: Federal funds | Indigent health care | Medicaid | Persons with disabilities | School-based health clinics |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 r822
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [43 pages  File size: 1,232 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Conduct a study of the low-functioning rubella population of Texas, including documentation of the size of the population, the degree and nature of their impairments, and the resulting impact on state programs.
2. Conduct a study of the standards which should be established for health care services provided by school districts and of the standards for staffing of school health programs.
3. Conduct an investigation of the health-care needs of the medically indigent population of Texas and persons living in medically underserved areas of the state.
4. Conduct such interim studies and evaluations of human services programs as are necessary to determine the appropriate role of the agencies involved and the effect on citizens receiving services from these prorams.
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Human Resources
Title: SR 764
Library Call Number: SR 764
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View document [5 pages  File size: 1,114 kb]
Committee: Senate Human Resources Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs
Title: Interim Report - Block grant administration
Library Catalog Title: Final subcommittee report on block grants.
Subjects: Federal funds |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 c765b
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [4 pages  File size: 130 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the effects of the Federal change from categorical grants to block grants. Assess the effects on consumers both as taxpayers and as users of government services, and make recommendations regarding state administration of block grants. *
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Human Resources Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs
Title: SR 773
Library Call Number: SR 773
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View document [3 pages  File size: 742 kb]
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee : a report to the House of Representatives, 68th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Federal funds | Groundwater pollution | Natural gas industry | Oil industry | Ports | River authorities | Special taxing districts | Water quality management |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 n219h
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [49 pages  File size: 1,638 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the need to modify the authority of Navigation Districts to permit the sale of or installment sale of publicly financed facilities to private entities.
2. Oversight functions shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 67th Regular Session of the Legislature. In addition, a study should be made of the impact of any federal cuts, and the differences in the operational aspect of the agencies under block vs. categorical grants. Close scrutiny should be given to each agency to ascertain if legislative intent is being carried out in the rules promulgated by the agency and if the rules are feasible and practical in their application. These agencies include: Texas Coastal and Marine Council Department of Water Resources Texas Water Well Drillers Board
3. Study the potential development of and problems associated with divided river authorities and the advisability of having one river authority covering the entire basin.
4. Study the salt water injection/recovery procedure that is presently being used across the State, especially in the West Texas area and in particular to determine what extent freshwater supplies are being contaminated with salt water as a result of procedures presently being used.
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature : report of the / Committee on Appropriations, Texas House of Reprentatives, 66th Legislature.
Subjects: Border issues | Career and technical education | Federal funds | State agencies | State agency budgets |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 ap65
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [29 pages  File size: 949 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the State's allocation of federal funds in terms of the amounts and the processes by which they flow into the State; make projections of future allocations and recommend a distribution formula which would eliminate fiscal discrimination between states and/or regions of states.
2. Review and study issues associated with agency efficiency, including: the space needs of state agencies in conjunction with currently approved construction projects to determine what, if any, additional construction is needed to create a cost-beneficial utilization of space; the feasibility of state agencies using temporary help rather than employing permanent employees; whether a cost savings would result if state agencies utilized telephone communication extensively in lieu of travel to promote efficiency in government services; and whether the most efficient use is being made of tax dollars to produce state publications.
3. Study and review agency operations, including: the method of acquisition or lease of computer equipment purchased by the state and determine what improvements could be made to the reviews by the State Auditor; the need for adjustment to fee revenues; and the current state policy regarding compensation of members of boards and commissions.
4. Undertake oversight functions for all agencies not considered by other substantive committees of the House of Representatives.
5. Study the availability of vocational and technical education programs in the border region. *
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives sixty-sixth legislature / report of the Committee on Appropriations, Texas House of Representatives, sixty-fifth legislature.
Subjects: Federal funds | State agency budgets | State budgets | State buildings | State employee salaries |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 AP65
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [53 pages  File size: 1,387 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the statutes of those state agencies which are not currently funded under the appropriations bill but whose funds may be appropriated by the legislature.
2. Review the procedures of the appropriative process and recommend changes in House rules, committee procedures, etc. as needed to improve the appropriative process.
3. Review the states allotment of federal funds and the process by which they flow into the state, developing future projection trends with particular focus on funds used for salaries to pay state employees.
4. Review of space requirements of state agencies and recommendations as to future construction and possible sources of funding in lieu of the now defunct 2 cent tax for State Building Construction.
5. Special oversight of budget activities of all state agencies with particular emphasis on implementation and use of an interactive budget monitoring system for committees and members of the legislature.
6. Review of agency, board and commission fees and licenses, determining if these have become outdated or do not generate necessary revenues as was originally intended when fee structure was enacted.
Committee: House Appropriations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Committee on Appropriations, Texas House of Representatives, 64th Legislature.
Subjects: Federal funds | Legislative process | State agencies | State agency budgets | State budgets | State buildings |
Library Call Number: L1836.64 ap65
Session: 64th R.S. (1975)
Online version: View report [68 pages  File size: 2,290 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the current practice of the state's leasing of office and building space to determine its efficiency and economy to the state. This subcommittee shall have the duty of studying the feasibility of state ownership of buildings, either through purchase of existing buildings of by new construction in lieu of leasing.
2. Review the fiscal notes process used by the House for accuracy and methodology and make recommendations for any improvement. This subcommittee is to include in its deliberations a study of the advisability of the inclusion of a fiscal note requirement on all bills having local fiscal implications.
3. Review all state agencies that do not receive their appropriations through biennial legislative appropriation and whose monies are not deposited with the state treasury.
4. Study the continued development a streamlining the appropriations process of the House of Representatives as it applies to the General Appropriations Bill.
5. Study the procedure for the attainment of federal funds, particularly those funds which are not appropriated to agencies through the General Appropriations Bill. Emphasis is to be given to those funds that are allowed to accumulate to the agency with no direction or restriction for spending mandated by either State or Federal governments.
Committee: House Comptroller and Treasurer's Offices, Select
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: [Report].
Subjects: Available School Fund | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Federal funds | Investment of public funds | Military spending | Permanent School Fund | State employees | Treasury Department, Texas State |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 12th Leg., R.S., 1546 (1871)
Session: 12th 1st C.S. (1870)
Online version: View report [15 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Examine the office of the Comptroller and the Treasurer.
Committee:  
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Committee on Appropriations, Texas House of Representatives, 64th Legislature.
Subjects: Federal funds |
Library Call Number: L1836.64 ap65
Session: ()
Online version: (This report has not yet been scanned.)
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the procedure for the attainment of federal funds, particularly those funds which are not appropriated to agencies through the General Appropriations Bill. Emphasis is to be given to those funds that are allowed to accumulate to the agency with no direction or restriction for spending mandated by either State or Federal governments.

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

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