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20 Document(s) [ Subject: Privacy ]

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: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abortion | Biometric identification | Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Human trafficking | Investment of public funds | Licensing and Regulation, Texas Department of | Privacy | Public retirement systems | Sexually oriented businesses | Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 St29a
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [36 pages  File size: 779 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Protecting the Unborn: Monitor the impact of SB 8, 87th R.S., The Texas Heartbeat Act, and the expanded funding for alternatives to abortion programs passed by the 87th Legislature. Study alternatives to abortion programs' effectiveness in meeting the needs of pregnant and post-partum women and recommend how the Legislature should strengthen the program. Recommend ways to provide additional alternatives to abortion and comprehensive informed consent resources to mothers who are expecting.
2. Human Trafficking: Examine opportunities and make recommendations to reduce the profitability of and demand for human trafficking in Texas. Determine ways to increase public awareness of the proliferation of human trafficking, as well as resources for victims and survivors. Monitor the implementation of HB 1540, 87th R.S., and examine changes in arrest rates, judicial dispositions, and sentencing amongst offenders due to provisions of the legislation. Examine opportunities for attorneys to combat human trafficking in their local communities, including use of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to generate revenue for local law enforcement officials combatting human trafficking. Make any other recommendations to further prevent human trafficking.
3. Privacy and Transparency: Review the current state laws that protect and secure individuals' biometric identifiers. Explore ways to protect against the use of biometric identifiers for unintended purposes without an individual's consent and make recommendations to the Senate. Study websites that closely resemble government websites or fraudulently represent companies that they are not, including websites that use names of state agencies or licenses. Make recommendations to ensure that Texans' are not mislead, taken advantage, or defrauded, especially when they try to seek assistance from a state website.
4. Investment Practices: Study the investment practices of financial services firms and how those practices affect the state’s public pensions. Make recommendations to ensure the state’s public pension funds are not being invested to further political or social causes.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abortion | Campus carry | Concealed weapons | Court costs and fees | Election fraud | Freedom of religion | Gun control | Human trafficking | Lobbyists | Occupational licenses | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Privacy | State agencies | Theft | Voter registration | Voting by mail | Voting systems |
Library Call Number: L1836.86 St29a
Session: 86th R.S. (2019)
Online version: View report [51 pages  File size: 1,479 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Human Trafficking: Examine opportunities and make recommendations to reduce the profitability of and demand for human trafficking in Texas. Determine ways to increase public awareness on the proliferation of human trafficking, as well as resources for victims and survivors. Review the interaction between local, state, and federal agencies in responding to and prosecuting human trafficking and sex trafficking offenses in Texas' five most populous counties. Make recommendations to ensure law enforcement agencies and prosecutors have the tools necessary to promptly and thoroughly respond to these crimes.
2. Elections: Study the integrity and security of voter registration rolls, voting machines, and voter qualification procedures to reduce election fraud in Texas. Specifically, study and make recommendations to: 1) ensure counties are accurately verifying voter eligibility after voter registration; 2) improve training requirements for mail-in ballot signature verification committees; 3) ensure every voter has access to a polling station, particularly in counties that have adopted countywide polling; 4) allow the voter registrar, county clerk, and Secretary of State to suspend an unqualified voter's registration or remove an ineligible voter from a list of registered voters; and 5) ensure compliance with laws that prohibit school trustees and employees from improperly using public funds to advocate for or against any candidate, measure, or political party.
3. Conscience Protections for Professionals: Assess current legal protections in Texas law for professionals and students studying to pursue a professional license that have an conscience-based objection that could interfere with a professional service. Evaluate any discrimination by state agencies against an applicant for or holder of an occupational license based on a sincerely held religious belief. Make recommendations to protect Texas professionals with conscience objections.
4. Private Personal Data: Study how state agencies sell or otherwise distribute the personal data of Texas residents and recommend whether additional measures are needed to prevent the unwanted disclosure of personal information.
5. Taxpayer Lobbying: Study how governmental entities use public funds for political lobbying purposes. Examine what types of governmental entities use public funds for lobbying purposes. Make recommendations to protect taxpayers from paying for lobbyists who may not represent the taxpayers’ interests.
6. Second Amendment: Examine Second Amendment legislation passed since the 84th Legislative Session including open carry, campus carry, and lowering the license to carry fee. Determine the impact these laws have made on furthering and protecting Second Amendment rights. Make recommendations that may further protect and enhance Texans' Second Amendment right to bear arms.
7. Personal Property Protections: Examine prosecution rates for thefts involving property valued under $1,000. Make recommendations to ensure law enforcement agencies and prosecutors have the tools necessary to thoroughly protect Texans' personal property from theft.
8. Lobbying Loopholes: Review current lobby laws and examine exceptions that allow certain individuals to avoid registration as lobbyists. Consider whether the exceptions are fair, transparent, and promote the public's trust in their elected officials and governmental institutions. Propose whether these exceptions should be limited or removed so that all people engaging in lobbying must report their lobbying activities.
9. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs passed by the 86th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
  • SB 22, 86th R.S., relating to prohibiting certain transactions between a governmental entity and an abortion provider; and
  • SB 39, 86th R.S., to the consolidation, allocation, classification, and repeal of certain criminal court costs and other court-related costs, fines, and fees; imposing certain court costs and fees and increasing and decreasing the amounts of certain other court costs and fees.
Committee: Senate Business and Commerce
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Electric utilities | Electric utility deregulation | Electric utility rates and charges | Emergency management | Flood insurance | Flood plains | Health insurance | Health insurance exchanges | Home equity lines of credit | Home equity loans | Hurricane Harvey | Mortgages | Natural disasters | Occupational licenses | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Privacy | Social media | Texas Constitution | Wills and estates |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 B963
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [133 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study infrastructure security and energy restoration post weather events. Identify ways state government entities can help utilities more effectively stage pre-hurricane mobilization crews for managing resources before an event.
2. Examine state mortgage requirements regarding the notification of homebuyers on their need for flood insurance in flood plains and flood pool areas and make recommendations on how to better inform consumers.
3. Examine local government regulations, including occupational licenses, as related to Hurricane Harvey and determine if any are a detriment to rebuilding efforts.
4. Examine and make recommendations on the need for changes to the Texas Constitution for home equity lenders to offer various forms of relief to Texas homeowners affected by natural disasters including, among others, the authority to enter into deferment agreements. This examination should include a study of home equity rules regarding negotiation, modification and refinancing and whether constitutionally established time periods can be waived in times of disasters.
5. Free Market Electricity: Examine the competitive nature of the Texas retail electric system and what government competitive intrusions in the free energy markets may have in distorting those markets. Review the impact of competitive versus noncompetitive retail electricity markets across the state in terms of price and reliability. Consider the projected impact of establishing competitive electric retail markets statewide.
6. Health Insurance Market Stability: Study the factors affecting health insurance markets in Texas, particularly the individual market, including federal and state law. Make recommendations that would result in increased stability in the markets and enhance value and affordability for individual consumers and businesses. Examine what steps the state needs to take to allow out-of-state health insurance sales. In developing its recommendations, the committee should consider the flexibility afforded to states by 1332 "state innovation" waivers, which allow states to modify or eliminate tax penalties associated with individual and employer coverage mandates; modify requirements for benefits and subsidies; and find alternative ways to provide benefit plan choices, determine eligibility for subsidies, and enroll consumers.
7. Licensing and Fees: Review licensing requirements and fees imposed on entities within the committee's jurisdiction. Make recommendations for state licenses and fees that should be reduced, repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.
8. Social Media Access: Study access issues regarding digital assets of decedents. Study social media privacy laws and whether job applicants and students' privacy is jeopardized under current law.
9. Examine the 2018 electric reliability forecasts announced by ERCOT and review how expected diminished reserve markets will impact the rates of residential and business consumers. Monitor current mechanisms available to ERCOT to ensure grid reliability, identify trends in the wholesale electric market, and make recommendations to maintain grid reliability moving forward.
10. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 85th R.S., including: • The implementation of legislation to deregulate occupational licensing; • The settlement of out-of-network health benefit claims involving balance billing and patient's explanation of benefits statements; and • Make recommendations regarding any additional legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/ or complete implementation.
Committee: Senate Open Government
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Government transparency | Privacy | Public information | University students | Websites |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 Op2
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [15 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the Texas Public Information Act to ensure that access to public records and information by the public remains fully transparent, but that governmental entities have the authority to protect the privacy interests of citizens, including primary and higher education students, from improper public disclosure.
2. Review and make recommendations on improving the transparency of information available on state websites regarding state expenditures, reports, and contracts, including a comparison of how similar information is provided by other states.
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 Veteran Affairs and Military Installations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations report and recommendations to the 79th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Hazlewood Act | Military personnel | Military records | Privacy | Public information | Student aid | Tuition | Tuition residency requirements |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 V641
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [112 pages  File size: 941 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the impact of recent state and federal legislation with regard to protecting the personal privacy of Veterans' discharge records.
2. Study existing language of the Hazelwood Act (Section 54.203, Education Code) which entitles wartime veterans and their children to a waiver of tuition and fees at some State-supported colleges and universities, and make recommendations, including cost estimates, on possible amendments to this Act to permit Veterans who have not fully used their entitlement under the Act to pass on residual benefits to their children.
3. Monitor the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) implementation of HB 591, 78th R.S., relating to reciprocity agreements between states concerning admissions of military personnel, and HB 261, 78th R.S., relating to instate tuition levels for military personnel.
Committee: House Financial Institutions
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Financial Institutions, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2002 : a report to the House of Representatives, 78th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Agriculture | Banks and banking | Business loans | Consumer credit and debt | Credit service organizations | Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 | Mortgages | Pawnshops | Privacy | Sale-leaseback agreements |
Library Call Number: L1836.77 f49h
Session: 77th R.S. (2001)
Online version: View report [61 pages  File size: 284 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the mortgage lending industry in Texas to determine whether the expectations of the Mortgage Broker Licensing Act of 1999 and subsequent related legislation are being met.
2. Research trends and practices in the sub-prime lending market in Texas and identify any issues of public concern in those markets.
3. Review the practices of financial institutions to comply with consumer privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and assess the ease and convenience afforded customers in exercising their choices.
4. Evaluate the ability of the Texas agricultural community to gain access to capital markets throughout the state. Identify barriers to financing of viable agricultural and value-added enterprises. Review and evaluate the finance programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Joint with House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock)
5. Study the methods currently used to report pawnshop transaction data between pawn shops and law enforcement agencies.
6. Actively monitor agencies and programs under the committee's oversight jurisdiction.
Committee: Joint Personal Privacy Task Force
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Privacy Task Force interim report.
Subjects: Privacy |
Library Call Number: L1836.77 p43
Session: 77th R.S. (2001)
Online version: View report [38 pages  File size: 237 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study issues related to the information practices of state government that affect personal privacy.
2. The task force shall: (1) identify the types of personal information about individuals that are being collected by state governmental bodies and how the information, once collected, is used; (2) identify how state governmental bodies disseminate personal information about individuals, including the extent to which the information is sold or given to commercial enterprises; (3) identify existing protections in state law and administrative rules against unwarranted disclosure of personal information about individuals and recommend legislation or rule changes to enhance protections against unwarranted disclosure; (4) assess the impact that evolving technologies have on the collection, dissemination, and use of personal information by state governmental bodies; (5) identify the benefits and detriments of information sharing among state governmental bodies that collect, store, and disseminate information relating to individuals and businesses; (6) determine the proper role of state government in the context of federal law and federal regulations in establishing statutory and regulatory privacy protections; (7) recommend steps to ensure that personal information transmitted to, by, or from state governmental bodies in an electronic format is adequately encrypted and secured to protect individuals' privacy; (8) recommend legislation and changes in administrative policy governing the collection, storage, andtransfer of information among and within state governmental bodies; (9) recommend legislation under which an individual would have the right to be notified if a state governmental body proposed to sell personally identifiable information about the individual and would have the right to prohibit the sale unless the sale was in furtherance of the statutory duties of the state governmental body; and (10) assess and analyze federal laws, regulations, and practices that affect, may affect, or could serve as a model for state government or commercial privacy practices and recommend legislation based on its assessment and analysis.
Committee: Senate Advisory Council on the Digital Economy
Title: Executive Summary
Library Catalog Title: Bringing digital opportunity to all Texans : the report.
Subjects: Advisory Council on the Digital Economy, Texas | Business taxes | Community colleges | Consumer protection | Digital divide | Economic development | High tech employment | High tech industry | High technology | Internet | Privacy | State government contracts | Technology education |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 d569s
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [6 pages  File size: 52 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. With a focus on maintaining Texas' leadership in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies that (a) promote Texas' already-existing technology-friendly climate, (b) reduce governmental impediments to the greater economic opportunities for technology companies in Texas, and (c) encourage technology companies to locate in and remain in Texas. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. How to create broad promotional efforts that highlight Texas' pro-technology business climate. B. How tax policy encourages or discourages the growth of Texas' high tech industry. C. How state government permitting, contracting and regulatory compliance processes affect the growth of Texas' high tech industry.
2. To enhance Texas' position as a leader in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies to develop a more educated workforce. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. Which improvements in K-12 mathematics and science education programs might help meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry. B. How to improve the technology training for primary and secondary school teachers and how technology can be more fully integrated into the curriculum of Texas' schools. C. Whether current high school technology programs meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry. D. How Texas' community colleges can be a key to addressing the workforce demands of the high tech industry. E. How to encourage the movement of technology from university labratories into Texas' high tech companies.
3. The growth of the Internet brings new opportunities, such as greater information distributed more broadly, and new risks. The Council shall develop strategies to promote the broad opportunities that the Internet brings and shall consider what, if any, steps might be taken to minimize the adverse effects of the new risks. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. How to bridge the digital divide and make the opportunities of the Internet available to more Texans. B. What consumer protection measures, including fraud protection, privacy protection and anti-spamming protection, can provide consumers with greater confidence in their use of the Internet as a tool for information and commerce. C. How to utilize the Internet as a means of addressing public health concerns regarding the delivery of medical information and services. D. How to utilize the Internet as a tool to allow for greater public participation in the democratic process. E. How to utilize the Internet as a means of enhancing rural economic development. F. What measures can be taken to give parents greater control over their children's use of the Internet.
Committee: Senate Advisory Council on the Digital Economy
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Advisory Council on the Digital Economy (ACDE) : bringing digital opportunity to all Texans.
Subjects: Advisory Council on the Digital Economy, Texas | Business taxes | Community colleges | Consumer protection | Digital divide | Economic development | High tech employment | High tech industry | High technology | Internet | Privacy | State government contracts | Technology education |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 d569
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [45 pages  File size: 128 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. With a focus on maintaining Texas' leadership in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies that (a) promote Texas' already-existing technology-friendly climate, (b) reduce governmental impediments to the greater economic opportunities for technology companies in Texas, and (c) encourage technology companies to locate in and remain in Texas. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. How to create broad promotional efforts that highlight Texas' pro-technology business climate. B. How tax policy encourages or discourages the growth of Texas' high tech industry. C. How state government permitting, contracting and regulatory compliance processes affect the growth of Texas' high tech industry.
2. To enhance Texas' position as a leader in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies to develop a more educated workforce. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. Which improvements in K-12 mathematics and science education programs might help meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry. B. How to improve the technology training for primary and secondary school teachers and how technology can be more fully integrated into the curriculum of Texas' schools. C. Whether current high school technology programs meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry. D. How Texas' community colleges can be a key to addressing the workforce demands of the high tech industry. E. How to encourage the movement of technology from university labratories into Texas' high tech companies.
3. The growth of the Internet brings new opportunities, such as greater information distributed more broadly, and new risks. The Council shall develop strategies to promote the broad opportunities that the Internet brings and shall consider what, if any, steps might be taken to minimize the adverse effects of the new risks. Specifically, the Council shall consider: A. How to bridge the digital divide and make the opportunities of the Internet available to more Texans. B. What consumer protection measures, including fraud protection, privacy protection and anti-spamming protection, can provide consumers with greater confidence in their use of the Internet as a tool for information and commerce. C. How to utilize the Internet as a means of addressing public health concerns regarding the delivery of medical information and services. D. How to utilize the Internet as a tool to allow for greater public participation in the democratic process. E. How to utilize the Internet as a means of enhancing rural economic development. F. What measures can be taken to give parents greater control over their children's use of the Internet.
Committee: House Financial Institutions
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Financial Institutions, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Banks and banking | Bond Review Board, Texas | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Consumer protection | Credit service organizations | Credit Union Department | Department of Banking, Texas | Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 | Home equity loans | Privacy | Public Finance Authority, Texas | Sale-leaseback agreements | Savings and Loan Department, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 f49h
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [77 pages  File size: 139 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Determine the extent to which personal customer and account information may be accessed or furnished to governmental institutions, other divisions or affiliates of a financial institution, and unrelated commercial or other enterprises. Assess the state's ability to assure customers the privacy of their information.
2. Research the practices commonly known as "payday loans" and "sale leasebacks" to determine the need to regulate such transactions.
3. Review the federal "financial services modernization" act (HR 10) to identify necessary changes to state laws and regulations governing insurance and financial institutions. This review is to be conducted jointly with the House Committee on Insurance.
4. Conduct a review of the home equity lending market, including lender activities and practices, to assess the extent to which the expectations of the 75th Legislature are being met.
5. Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Health Services
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 77th Legislature / Texas Senate Health Committee.
Subjects: Biological weapons | Biotechnology industry | Children's Health Insurance Program | Cloning | Dentists | Ethics | Genetic research and testing | Health care providers | Immunizations | Managed care | Medicaid | Medical privacy | Medical records | Nurses | Nursing shortages | Pharmaceutical industry | Pharmacists | Physicians | Privacy | State employee turnover | Telemedicine |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 h35
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [356 pages  File size: 6,500 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Evaluate the changes in the Medicaid system since the beginning of Medicaid reform. The Committee shall assess reform efforts in light of the original goals for implementation of Medicaid managed care, as well as the impact of Medicaid managed care on patient outcomes, cost implications to the state, and the impact on traditional providers of indigent care. The Committee shall also specifically evaluate the ability of Medicaid managed care organizations and the state to manage chronic illnesses and develop specific strategies for disease management for certain populations.
2. Inventory and analyze the amount and type of research related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and genetics currently occurring in Texas to maximize the benefits to Texans in these fields. The Committee shall also examine the ethical implications associated with pharmaceuticals, genetic and biotechnology research.
3. Review the type, amount, availability, and use of patient-specific medical information, including prescription data, and current statutory and regulatory provisions governing its availability. The report shall explore if statutory and regulatory provisions are consistent and adequately enforced.
4. Study impacts of the degree of choice granted physicians to administer immunizations to children under the Vaccinations For Children (VFC) Program. The Committee shall focus on the health and fiscal implications to the public and private sectors of granting choices to physicians where more than one manufacturer produces the same vaccine at an equivalent price.
5. Assess the preparedness of the Texas health care workforce to meet the health care needs of Texans beyond the year 2000, including methods to retain Texas-trained medical personnel. The Committee shall evaluate the availability of health care providers in rural and urban areas. The Committee shall also review the oversight of medical procedures performed by medical residents and disclosure provided to patients prior to treatment.
6. Monitor the implementation of SB 445, 76th R.S. relating to the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Committee: House Public Safety
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Public Safety, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Driver licenses | Highways - safety | Motor vehicle records | Motor vehicle safety inspections | One call to dig program | Pipeline safety | Privacy | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Semi-trailer trucks | Social Security numbers | Truck inspection stations |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 p96h
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [32 pages  File size: 1,199 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study all issues surrounding the use of social security numbers to obtain a driver's license. The study should consider federal law and rules as well as issues related privacy and identity theft.
2. Review the manner in which driver's license information, including arrests, convictions and other personal information, is made available for public safety and commercial purposes. The review should consider the parties who may obtain such information, the security of information, and the extent to which the system meets the needs of requesting parties.
3. Evaluate the need for county or municipal law enforcement officers to conduct motor carrier safety inspections.
4. Review the "One Call to Dig" program to determine how well it is working.
5. Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: House State Affairs
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Texas House of Representatives, 77th Legislature / Committee on State Affairs.
Subjects: Aircraft Pooling Board | Broadband infrastructure | e-commerce | Ethics Commission, Texas | General Services Commission, Texas | Human Rights, Texas Commission on | Incentive and Productivity Commission, Texas | Information Resources, Texas Department of | Internet | Lobbyists | Privacy | Public Utility Counsel, Office of | Revolving door policies | Social Security numbers | Telephone deregulation | Telephone service | Television stations | Veterans Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 st29h
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [250 pages  File size: 1,105 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the authority of state and local governments to require cable television companies to provide access to competitors and to affect the rates, terms and conditions under which access is provided. Consider the speed of change in the telecommunications industry and the implications of the state assuming new regulatory responsibilities in this industry, including the question of whether any or all providers of broadband service should be required to provide access to competitors.
2. Review the current state of privacy laws in Texas as they relate to businesses' or government's ability to disseminate personal information without prior written permission.
3. Study the nature and extent of lobby influence on the legislative process.
4. Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction, including monitoring the implementation of SB 560, 76th R.S., and changes in telecommunications markets resulting from the legislation.
Committee: Senate Public Information, Interim
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 76th Legislature.
Subjects: Open government | Open records requests and decisions | Privacy | Public Information Act, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.75 p96
Session: 75th R.S. (1997)
Online version: View report [215 pages  File size: 10,203 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Identify areas of concern associated with the Public Information Act, (formerly known as the Open Records Act), including harassment, commercial enterprise, circumvention of the Act's requirements, delays in production of information, access and availability of information, costs and expenditure of public resources. If necessary, make recommendations for legislative action.
2. Study the impact of the Public Information Act on privacy interests of Texans and monitor the implementation of SB 1069, 75th R.S., passed by the Legislature during the 1997 regular session, and developments in federal law regarding these issues.
3. Review the role of technology as it applies to the Public Information Act, such as the Internet, and study pertinent issues in the public information process, including but not limited to whether HB 1718, 74th R.S., passed by the Legislature during the 1995 regular session, adequately responds to technological advances.
Committee: House State Affairs
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on State Affairs, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Alternative energy | Automobiles | Biotechnology industry | Business taxes | Campaign contributors | Campaign finance reform | Campaign funds | Cloning | Councils of government | Electric utility deregulation | Ethics | Genetic research and testing | Long distance telephone service | Privacy | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Public Utility Regulatory Act | Soft money | State agencies | State taxes | Telephone deregulation | Telephone service |
Library Call Number: L1836.75 st29h
Session: 75th R.S. (1997)
Online version: View report [119 pages  File size: 6,856 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine and evaluate the role of financial contributions in campaigns for election to state offices. Identify practices or trends that may be detrimental to the public good and study ways to eliminate or reverse those trends. (Joint with the House Committee on Elections)
2. Study the threats to personal privacy due to technological advances in the capacity to store data and the increasing use of electronic transaction in government, business, and everyday life. Examine the uses made of such information by governments and commercial enterprises, and the potential for abuse. Assess legislative options.
3. Review conditions in the telecommunications industry. Examine changes that have occurred since the passage of HB 2128, 74th R.S., and compare current conditions to expectations at the time of passage. Assess the need for revisions to keep the transition to competition on track.
4. Inventory the kinds of public-private arrangements that currently exist in Texas government, and examine any new ethical or accountability issues that arise when the state relies on private entities in non-traditional ways.
5. Study the legal, social, and economic issues likely to arise because of developments in the fields of genetics and bioethics. Such issues may include those related to altered foodstuffs, cloning, reproduction, eugenics, and genetic testing.
6. Examine whether Regional Planning Commissions (COG's) have fulfilled the purposes for which they were established originally, and whether their functions or enabling legislation requires change.
7. Examine the feasibility of combining agency automobile fleets into a pooled fleet that could be centrally administered to obtain efficiencies of operation.
8. Assess the state and local tax impacts of possible changes in the structure of the electric power industry.
Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members, Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature : report of the / Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, 67th Legislature.
Subjects: Appellate courts | Bail | Criminal appeals | Criminal justice | Illegal video recordings | Indigent criminal defense | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Privacy | Recidivism | Searches and seizures | State income taxes |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 j979cr
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [58 pages  File size: 1,900 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review federal and state wiretap statutes and court cases related to wiretapping and electronic surveillance to determine if pen registers, devices which record the numbers dialed by a particular telephone, are covered by the procedures, restrictions and safeguards of the state wire communications laws. *
2. Compare Texas' statutes with those of other states to assess differences in programs and compensation for counsel appointed to defend indigents.
3. Compare our penalty schedule, including the habitual criminal law, and our recidivism rates to those of other states to determine if any other penalty schedule tends to reduce recidivism more than our present penalty schedule.
4. Consider whether the Courts of Appeals are able to effectively accomplish their constitutional and statutory duties in disposing of intermediate criminal appeals. Determine what resources are necessary to allow the Courts of Appeals to handle the larger load of criminal cases. *
5. Make recommendations for clarifying the status of habeas corpus orders issued by Courts of Appeals. *
6. Monitor the implementation of HB 360, 67th R.S..
7. Monitor the implementation of SJR 36, 67th R.S., through the requirements set by SB 265, 67th R.S..
Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature : report of the / Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, the Texas House of Representatives, 66th Legislature.
Subjects: Privacy | Searches and seizures |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 c668
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [265 pages  File size: 10,773 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the use of electronic devices to intercept wire and oral communication as a crime-fighting tool. The study shall cover all aspects of the issue, including an assessment of the effectiveness of the practice in combating crime, our ability to control its use, and its implications for the rights of the individual.
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Privacy and information systems in Texas : report of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee, 64th Legislative Session.
Subjects: Electronic surveillance | Privacy | Searches and seizures |
Library Call Number: L1936.63 p939 1975
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View report [205 pages  File size: 9,774 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the need for safeguards to protect the individual liberties of the people of Texas.

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

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