Interim Hearings – Week of August 25th
Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.
August 25th Top
House Committee on Energy Resources
- "State Agency Oks New Rules for Injection Wells," Star-Telegram, August 12, 2014 and Memorandum (Proposed amendment of Texas Administrative Code), Railroad Commission of Texas, August 5, 2014
- "Fracking FAQ: What's the Link between Injection Wells and Earthquakes?," Christian Science Monitor, July 14, 2014
- "New study Links Oklahoma Earthquakes to Fracking," MSNBC, July 8, 2014
- "Quake Insurance for Fracking in Texas?," San Antonio Express News, June 13, 2014
- "Here Are 9 Studies Linking Quakes and Drilling Activity in Texas," NPR State Impact Texas, May 12, 2014
- North Texas Earthquake Study, (includes Progress report), Southern Methodist University (SMU)
August 26th Top
Senate Committee on Education
Charge 1: Examine STAAR writing scores and review types of writing required. Explore need for targeted professional development in writing
- STAAR® Statewide Summary Reports 2013-2014, Texas Education Agency
- STAAR Writing and English I, II, III Resources, Texas Education Agency
Charge #2: Monitor implementation of legislation and make recommendations needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation:
- HB 5, update from previous hearing on the passing rates of STAAR End-of-Course assessments for the graduating class of 2015
- Majority of Class of 2015 Already Finished with STAAR® End-of-course Exams, Texas Education Agency, June 11, 2014
- HB 1926, relating to the operation of the state virtual school network and courses provided through other distance learning arrangements
- The Texas Virtual School Network , The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)
- Changes Made to the TxVSN in the 83rd Legislature, TCEA Advocacy Network, June 4, 2013
- What’s New After the Legislative Session: Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) (Power point), Texas Education Agency, February 10, 2014
- SB 376, relating to breakfast for certain public school students
- SB 376 - Universal Breakfast, Texas Department of Agriculture
- Universal Breakfast: A New Law to Get Meals to More Hungry Kids is Causing Some Confusion, Fort Worth Weekly, April 9, 2014
- HB 617, relating to transition and employment services for public school students enrolled in special education programs.
- Identification of District Transition and Employment Services Designee, Texas Education Agency, July 16, 2014
House Committee on Energy Resources
Charge 1: Study the impact of the expanding oil and gas exploration and production occurring across the state. The study should review of the following issues:
- The effect on the state budget and the Economic Stabilization Fund;
- Shale Boom Has Major Impact on Texas' Budget, Texas Tribune, April 30, 2013
- Biennial Revenue Estimate 2014-2015, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, January 2013
- The overall impact on the state economy;
- "Texas' Oil and Gas Industry Expands to Near-Record Levels," Fuel Fix, July 24, 2014
- "Five States and the Gulf of Mexico Produce More than 80% of U.S. Crude Oil," U.S. Energy Information Administration, March 31, 2014
- Studies & Reports, West Texas Energy Consortium, ©2014
- Special Report: Crude oil, Natural Gas Production Projected to Increase in U.S., Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, April 2013
- The impact on property values and local taxes;
- "Pipeline Companies Paying More to Cross Private Land," Texas Tribune, June 18, 2014
- The effect on roads;
- Growing Impacts of Energy Development on Highways and Bridges, Texas Department of Transportation, July 25, 2013 (presentation)
- The impact on local school districts;
- "Oil Boom Brings Cash and iPads to School District," USA Today, January 15, 2014
- "The Texas Oil and Gas Boom Presents HR Challenges for School Districts," Texas Association of School Boards, August 2012
- The complex relationship between land owners, royalty owners, and operators;
- "For Texas Royalty Owners, Not All Money Comes Easy," Texas Tribune, May 30, 2014
- "Unfair Share: How Oil and Gas Drillers Avoid Paying Royalties," Pro Publica, August 13, 2013
- The impact on the environment, including emissions and injection wells;
- "Environmental Group Says Illegal Diesel Fracking Used in Texas," NPR State Impact, August 13, 2014
- Oil and Gas Facilities: Compliance Resources, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Projected water needs and how those fit with our state water plan; and
- "Texas Railroad Commission Recycling Rules Allow Industry to Reduce Fresh Water Use in Oil and Gas Production," Texas Railroad Commission, May 22, 2014
- "Fractured: Experts Examine the Contentious Issue of Hydraulic Fracturing Water Use," Texas Water Resources Institute, Winter 2013
- "Rancher: Oil and Gas Boom is Requiring More Water Than We Have. Period." San Antonio Express-News, December 14, 2013
- Water Use in Association with Oil and Gas Activities, Texas Railroad Commission
- The housing issues created by the number of workers needed in areas of shale plays.
- Accommodating Oil Patch Workers, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- "Oil! New Texas Boom Spawns Riches, Headaches," USA Today, January 15, 2014
Charge 2: Study the efficiency and effectiveness of the P5 permitting process at the Railroad Commission
- Form P-5 Organization Report, Railroad Commission of Texas
- 16 Tex. Admin. Code §3.1
- 16 Tex. Admin. Code. §8.51
Charge 3: Study and review the appropriation of general revenue dollars allocated to the Railroad Commission for improvements in IT systems to ensure those funds are being utilized to streamline the permitting process and to allow access to information for all parties that conduct business at the Commission.
- RRC Online System FAQ, Railroad Commission of Texas
- Information Technology Services Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, last updated August 7, 2014
- IT Modernization Program, Railroad Commission of Texas, last updated April 4, 2014
Charge 4: Review the application of Texas Business & Commerce Code, Section 9.343, to determine the legal rights of unperfected security interests of oil and gas producers with respect to subsequent purchasers, specifically in the context of a bankruptcy proceeding such as Arrow Oil & Gas, Inc. v. SemCrude, L.P. and subsequent cases.
- Bill Analysis, SB1094, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, March 28, 2013
- Arrow Oil & Gas, Inc. v. SemCrude, L.P., United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, December 13, 2010
Charge 5: Monitor the implementation of HB 2982 (83R) to ensure that the required rulemaking is completed efficiently and in a timely manner.
- HB2982 Gathering Workshop schedules, Railroad Commission of Texas, Pipeline Safety Division,
House Committee on Transportation
Charge: Usage of state funds by the Texas Department of Transportation for improving road quality in areas impacted by Energy Sector activities
- "Judge Rejects LaSalle County Suit Against TxDOT on Shale Oil Road Fund," Austin American-Statesman, July 17, 2014
- County of La Salle v. Joe Weber et al.; Plaintiff's original petition (No. D-1-GV-14-000500, County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program), 353rd District Court, Travis County, April 29, 2014
- County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program (overview, documents, implementation tools), Texas Department of Transportation
- Roads for Texas Energy (legislation, correspondence, agency data, rules, economically disadvantaged counties, timeline), Texas Department of Transportation
Charge: Implementation of "Turn-Back Program" by the Texas Department of Transportation, specifically fiscal impact to municipalities and taxpayers
- "TML, TEMPO, and TxDOT Agreement: Turnback Program is Voluntary," Memorandum of Understanding, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Municipal League, and Association of Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations, April 4, 2014
- Letter to Texas cities outlining the Texas Transportation Commission's proposal to transfer certain state highways to local control; includes presentation titled 'Highways in Texas' municipalities: an overview and potential solutions' ('turnback' program), Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Phil Wilson, Texas Transportation Commission, August 13, 2013
Charge: County authority to utilize tax increment financing and transportation reinvestment zones to fund transportation projects
- "Texas Legislature Redefines Transportation Reinvestment Zones," Texas Transportation Researcher, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2013
- Transportation Policy Research Center: Finance, including Public-Private Investment Models for Roadway Infrastructure, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Fees, Innovative Finance: Strategic Research Project, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction
August 27th Top
House Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives
Testimony from various state incentive programs, including the moving image industry, special events funds, and local programs, and coordination between state and local economic development entities
- Strategies for Evaluating Tax Incentives, Pew Charitable Trusts, June 13, 2014
- "State Senators Push for More Scrutiny of Texas Special-Event Funds," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, February 24, 2013
- Evidence Counts: Evaluating State Tax Incentives for Jobs and Growth, Pew Charitable Trusts, April 12, 2012
- "Texplainer: What are the State Event Trust Funds?" Texas Tribune, July 5, 2011
- Event Trust Funds Overview, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Tax Incentives, Texas Wide Open for Business, Texas Economic Development Division, Office of the Governor
- Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), Texas Film Commission
House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform
Charge: Current restrictions on state and local government relating to construction of critical infrastructure, including transportation and water projects
- Repair Priorities 2014: Transportation Spending Strategies to Save Taxpayer Dollars and Improve Roads, Smart Growth America, March 2014
- Report Card for America's Infrastructure: Texas, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2012-2013
- Interim Report to the 83rd Texas Legislature (Charge: Transportation Infrastructure), House Committee on Transportation, December 2012
- State Legislative Infrastructure Priorities, National Conference of State Legislatures, October 2012
- Interim Report to the 82nd Texas Legislature, House Select Committee on Transportation Funding, January 2011
- Interim Report to the 81st Texas Legislature, Joint Interim Committee on Water Funding, March 2009
- State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), Texas Water Development Board
Charge: Application of Public Information Act to requests for large amounts of electronic data
- Public Information Act Handbook 2014, Office of Attorney General, 2014
- Interim Report to the 82nd Texas Legislature (Charge 13: Open Government), Senate Committee on State Affairs, December 2010
August 28th Top
House Committee on Health Care Education & Training, Select
Topic: Current state of the health care workforce in Texas
- "Nurse Practitioners can Ease Shortages," Tyler Morning Telegraph, August 13, 2014
- "To Boost Healthcare Workforce Feds Dole Out $55 Million, Including $338K to North Texas,"D Healthcare Daily, December 10, 2013
- Enhancing and Diversifying the Nation’s Health Care Workforce, Texas Health Institute, September 2013
- Opening Doors: Building Texas’ Primary Health Care Workforce, Center for Public Policy Priorities, February 2013
- Texas Medical Shortage Area Designation, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Shortage Areas (Health Professional Shortage Areas), HRSA Data Warehouse, Health Resources and Services Administration