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.
Organizational meeting; overview of Sunset process; approval of review schedule, operating budget, and rules
- Agencies Under Review for the 2018–2019 Review Cycle, 86th Legislative Session, Sunset Advisory Commission
- How Sunset Works, Sunset Advisory Commission
- Sunset in Texas: 2017-2019, Sunset Advisory Commission
House Committees on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs and Transportation (Weslaco, Joint Hearing)
Charge: Current state of infrastructure at Texas' international shipping ports and border ports of entry; transportation-related impediments to international trade and economic impact of those challenges, including border wait times
- The Potential Impacts of the Panama Canal Expansion on Texas Ports: Final Report, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, January 2018
- Texas Ports and Texas Exports: Testimony of Ginger Goodin, P.E., Director, Transportation Policy Research Center, and Jim Kruse, Director, Center for Ports and Waterways, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, to the House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation and Infrastructure, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, March 13, 2017
- How Long Is Too Long to Cross the Border? : Final Report, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, February 2017
- "Texas Ports: Gateways to World Commerce: Comptroller Study Highlights Economic Impacts," Fiscal Notes, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, February 2017
- Border Corridors and Trade Report, Texas Department of Transportation, January 2017
- Interim Report to the 85th Legislature, Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports, November 2016
- Joint Interim Committee to Study the Effects of Border Wait Times, Interim Report 2014: A Report to the House of Representatives, 84th Texas Legislature, Joint Interim Committee to Study the Effects of Border Wait Times, January 12, 2015
- Survey of State Funding Practices for Coastal Port Infrastructure: Final Report, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, May 2015
- Interim Report to the 82nd Legislature (International trade and commerce, port infrastructure, border crossings and wait times), Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade, February 2011
- Border Delays and Economic Impact to the Freight Sector: An Exploration of the El Paso Ports of Entry, Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, July 2011
- Interim Report to the 78th Legislature (VI. Transportation and trade, ports of entry), Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, Subcommittee on Border Affairs, November 2002
- Texas' Ports of Entry: Economic Impact, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Charge: Economic Stabilization Fund: examine options to increase investment earnings; evaluate how the constitutional limit is calculated and consider alternatives methods
- History of the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) (Interactive Graphic), Legislative Budget Board, December 2017
- Constitutional Limitations on Spending (Presented to the House Appropriations Committee), Legislative Budget Board, July 27, 2017
- When to Use State Rainy Day Funds: Withdrawal Policies to Mitigate Volatility and Promote Structurally Balanced Budgets, The Pew Charitable Trusts, April 2017
- "Overview of Texas Spending Limit," Legislative Budget Board Staff Reports, Legislative Budget Board, January 2017
- How Rainy Day Funds Can Support Progressive Budgets to Grow State Economies, Center for American Progress, August 3, 2016
- Economic Stabilization Fund Cap (Issue Brief)(Cap compared to ending balance, 1990/91 - 2016/17), Legislative Budget Board, March 2016
- Saving for a Rainy Day: Estimating the Appropriate Size of U.S. State Budget Stabilization Funds, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, October 2014
- Building State Rainy Day Funds: Policies to Harness Revenue Volatility, Stabilize Budgets, and Strengthen Reserves, The Pew Charitable Trusts, July 2014
Charge: Monitor implementation of behavioral health, coordinating behavioral health services and expenditures, pursuant to Article IX, section 10.04, including the impact of new local grant funding provided by the 85th Legislature
- Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan: Progress Report, Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, December 2017
- Coordinated Statewide Behavioral Health Expenditure Proposal: Fiscal Year 2018, Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council , October 2017
- Behavioral Health Collaborative Matching Grant Programs, Texas Health and Human Services, September 2017
- Medicaid's Role in Financing Behavioral Health Services for Low-Income Individuals, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, June 2017
- State Behavioral Health: Overview and Funding (Presented to the House Committee on Appropriations) (Infographic), Legislative Budget Board, February 2017
- Counties Key to Addressing Behavioral Health Needs on the Ground, The Council of State Governments, August 9, 2016
Topic: Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery
- Updated Hurricane Harvey's Fiscal Impact on State Agencies (Presented to the Senate Finance Committee), Legislative Budget Board, January 30, 2018
- Hurricane Harvey Contract Reporting and Oversight (Presented to House General Investigating and Ethics Committee), January 18, 2018
Charge 18: Monitor agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature; specifically monitor:
Topic: Implementation of therapy rate increases and policy changes at HHSC
- "Child Therapists Fear New Texas Policy Will Deepen Funding Cuts," Texas Tribune, September 1, 2017
- Notice of Proposed Adjustments to Fees, Rates or Charges for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Provided by Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities/Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORF/ORF), Home Health Agencies (HHA), and Independent Therapists (To Include Early Childhood Intervention and Physicians) (Example of New Fee Schedule 2018, Proposed Rate Packets Year 2010 - Year 2018), Rate Analysis Department, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, July 19, 2017
- Therapy Cost Containment Notification for Providers and MCO's, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, March 2017
- Left Out: The Impact of State Cuts to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) for Young Texas Kids With Disabilities, Texans Care for Children and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., November 2016
- Review of Texas Medicaid Acute Care Therapy Programs, Strategic Decision Support, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, February 25, 2015
Topic: HHSC's use of appropriated funds to expand Texas's inpatient psychiatric infrastructure
- Texas Moves Forward With Plans to Improve State Hospital System (Fund Distribution, Timeline), Texas Health and Human Services Commission, January 8, 2018
- A Comprehensive Plan for State-Funded Inpatient Mental Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, August 2017
- Mental Health in Texas After the 85th Legislature (State Hospital Infrastructure), The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, August 17, 2017
- HHSC Select Behavioral Health Funding Infographic, Legislative Budget Board, February 2017
- State Hospitals: Mental Health Facilities in Texas, Legislative Primer, Legislative Budget Board, April 2016
- State Supported Living Centers Long-Term Plan, Rider 39 Report, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Updated August 16, 2017
- Analysis for the Ten-Year Plan for the Provision of Services to Persons Served by State Psychiatric Hospitals (SPHs), Final Report, CannonDesign Group for Texas Department of State Health Services, November 2014
Topic: Ongoing impact of critical-needs funding at DFPS
- Fiscal Year 2017 Child Maltreatment Fatalities and Near Fatalities Annual Report, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, March 1, 2018
- Overview of Funding for the Child Protective Services Program at the Department of Family and Protective Services (Presented to Senate Finance Committee), Legislative Budget Board, December 2017
- House Bill 1, Rider 9, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, Human Resources Management Plan, FY 2016 - FY 2017, June 1, 2017 (Appendix A - Impact of Additional CPS Appropriations), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, June 2017
- "After Pay Raises, Texas CPS Checks on Endangered Kids Faster, Reduces Caseworker Turnover," Dallas Morning News, April 12, 2017
- Senate Workgroup on Child Protection Announces Plan for More CPS Investigators, Higher Caseworker Pay (Press Release), Office Of Senator Charles Schwertner, November 7, 2016
- Regional Statistics About Children in DFPS Care, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Topic: State of cybersecurity in Texas
- Cybersecurity Legislation 2017, National Conference of State Legislatures, December 29, 2017
- 2017 U.S. State and Federal Government Cybersecurity Report, Security Scorecard, August 24, 2017
- Interim Report to the 85th Texas Legislature (Charge 2 – Counties' Cybersecurity Policies), House Committee on County Affairs, January 2017
- Interim Report to the 85th Texas Legislature (Charge 1 – State Agencies' Cybersecurity Policies), House Committee on Government Transparency & Operation, January 2017
- State of the States on Cybersecurity: California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, November 2015
- How State Governments Are Addressing Cybersecurity, Brookings Institution, March 5, 2015
- State & Local Cybersecurity Polices (Texas), Center for Internet Security
- Texas Government Code §§ 2054.059-2054.0592, Cybersecurity
- 10 Texas Administrative Code §§ 202.20-202.26, Information Security Standards for State Agencies
Medicaid Managed Care Quality and Compliance
Charge: Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) efforts to improve quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program, including pay-for-quality initiatives in Medicaid managed care; comparison of alternative payment models and value-based payment arrangements with providers in Medicaid managed care, the Employees Retirement System, and the Teacher Retirement System, and areas for cross-collaboration and coordination
Charge: Medicaid managed care organizations' compliance with contractual obligations and the use of incentives and sanctions to enforce compliance; competitive bidding practices for Medicaid managed care contracts
- Expansion of Managed Care (Summary, Executive Commissioner's commitment to improving member and provider experience in Medicaid managed care, HHSC updates), Managed Care Contracts and Manuals, Managed Care Incentives and Disincentives, Managed Care Organization Sanctions, MCO Notices and Alerts, Managed Care Service Areas (Map), Health and Human Services Commission
- An Audit Report on the Health and Human Services Commission's Management of Its Medicaid Managed Care Contract with Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Network, and Superior's Compliance with Reporting Requirements, Texas State Auditor's Office, January 2018
- "How Texas Medicaid Is Failing Children with Disabilities," Austin American-Statesman, November 2, 2017
- Utilization Review in STAR+PLUS Medicaid Managed Care, Health and Human Services Commission, November 2017
- Texas Medicaid Managed Care and Children's Health Insurance Program: Summary of Activities and Trends in Healthcare Quality, Contract Year: 2016, Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida, External Quality Review Organization for Texas Medicaid Managed Care and CHIP, August 2017; Addendum, October 2017
- Demonstrating the Value of Medicaid MLTSS Programs (Survey of Medicaid managed long-term services and supports programs in 12 states, including Texas), National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities, Center for Health Care Strategies, May 2017
- Texas Medicaid Managed Care STAR Child, STAR Adult, and STAR+PLUS Adult Behavioral Health Survey Report, Contract Year 2015, Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida, External Quality Review Organization for Texas Medicaid Managed Care and CHIP, HHSC Approval Date: April 27, 2017
- "Severely Disabled Kids' Lives at Risk, Parents Say, as Texas Enacts Medicaid Cost-Savings Plan" (Including history of STAR Kids), Dallas Morning News, February 2017
- Texas Medicaid and CHIP in Perspective, 11th Edition, Chapter 11: Fee-for-Service and Managed Care (Overview of Medicaid managed care programs: STAR, STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids, STAR Health, children's Medicaid dental services, dual eligible, nursing facility carve-in), Appendix D: Managed Care History in Texas, Appendix E: Managed Care Quality Assurance Reports, Health and Human Services Commission, February 2017
- Review of HHSC's Contract Management and Oversight Function for Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care and Fee-for-Service Contracts, Health and Human Services Commission, February 2017
- Combined Report on Medicaid Managed Care Provider Network Adequacy, Monitoring, and Violations, Health and Human Services Commission, January 2017
- Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (Interim Charge 9B – OIG Sunset implementation, including table of major provisions relating to HHSC Office of Inspector General in SB 200 and SB 207, 84th Legislature, R.S., and discussion of MCO efforts to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid), Senate Committee on Health and Human Service, November 2016
- Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment and Program Characteristics, 2015, Mathematica Policy Research, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Winter 2016
- Medicaid Managed Care in Texas: A Review of Access to Services, Quality of Care, and Cost Effectiveness, Sellers Dorsey, Milliman, Texas Association of Health Plans, February 2015
- Interim Report to the 84th Legislature (Charge 7 – Implementation of legislation in the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session; including discussion of SB 7, Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports Redesign, and Medicaid managed care), Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, December 2014
- "Medicaid Roadblocks" (Early history of Medicaid managed care), Texas Medicine, Texas Medical Association, October 2013
- Interim Report to the 83rd Legislature (Charge 2 – Cost containment initiatives, including expansion of managed care), Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, December 2012
Health Care Cost Transparency
Charge: Efforts by Department of State Health Services and Texas Department of Insurance to increase health care cost transparency, including a review of the Texas Health Care Information Collection (THCIC) system, and the Consumer Guide to Healthcare; making provider and facility fees accessible to improve health care cost transparency and quality of care, creating an informed health care consumer base
- Transparency and Disclosure of Health Costs and Provider Payments: State Actions, National Conference of State Legislatures, March 2017
- Report Card on State Price Transparency Laws, Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Catalyst for Payment Reform, July 2016
- How Price Transparency Can Control the Cost of Health Care, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, March 1, 2016
- Interim Report to the 84th Legislature (Charge 7 – Medical price transparency), Senate Committee on State Affairs, January 23, 2015
Charge: System/campus expansion
- Campus Expenditures Report FY 2018 to FY 2022, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, January 2018
- 19 Texas Administrative Code Part 1, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Chapter 8 - Expansion of Public Community College Districts, Chapter 17 - Resource Planning), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2018
- Interim Report to the 85th Texas Legislature (Charge 2 - Community College System Governance Structure), House Committee on Higher Education, January 2017
- "Texas' Higher Education Strategy a Game of Favorites?", Houston Chronicle, March 14, 2016
- Interim Report to the 81st Texas Legislature (Charge 4 - New Institutions), Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, December 2008
- Texas Education Code § 61.0572, Construction Funds and Development of Physical Plants
- Texas Education Code § 61.062, Powers Respecting Junior Colleges
Charge 2: Review conflict of interest laws and personal financial statement requirements governing public officers and employees
- Helpful Hints For Filing Your Personal Financial Statement, Texas Ethics Commission, Revised June 13, 2017
- Interim Report to the 85th Texas Legislature (Charge 1 - Conflicts of Interest and Financial Disclosures), House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics, January 2017
- A Guide to Ethics Laws For State Officers and Employees, Texas Ethics Commission, Revised September 15, 2015
- Texas Government Code §§ 572.021 - 572.069, Personal Financial Statement, Standards of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Provisions
Charge 3: Review penalties under Chapter 305, Government Code (registration of lobbyists)
- Commission Rules (Chapter 34 - Regulation of Lobbyists), Texas Ethics Commission, Revised March 6, 2018
- Lobbying in Texas: A Guide to the Texas Law, Texas Ethics Commission, Revised January 1, 2017
- Texas Government Code Chapter 305, Regulation of Lobbyists
Charge 5: Review procedures used at the Texas Ethics Commission; identify ways to resolve complaints
- Commission Rules (Chapter 12 - Sworn Complaints), Texas Ethics Commission, Revised March 6, 2018
- Texas Ethics Commission: Promoting Public Confidence in Government, Texas Ethics Commission, Revised January 10, 2017
- Most Common Sworn Complaint Violations (Based on Calendar Years 2013-2015), Texas Ethics Commission, 2015
- Texas Government Code, §§ 571.061 - 571.079, Texas Ethics Commission - General Powers and Duties
- Texas Government Code, §§ 571.121 - 571.142, Complaint Procedures and Hearings
Child Welfare
Charge: Family preservation in the Family Based Social Services (FBSS) stage of service at the Department of Family and Protective Services, tracking quality of services and linking payments to providers of these services to outcomes for families and children
- DFPS Data Book, Child Protective Services (CPS) Family Preservation (Fiscal Years 2015, 2016, 2017; Interactive Map), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Family Based Support Programs, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Charge: Department of Family and Protective Services' progress in timely visits to children involved in a reported case of abuse or neglect
- Fiscal Year 2017 Child Maltreatment Fatalities and Near Fatalities Annual Report, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, March 1, 2018
- The State of Texas 2017 Annual Progress and Services Report: Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plan Fiscal Years 2015-2019 (Including tables on timeliness of initial contacts and investigation initiations, p. 10), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2018
- Child Protective Services Business Plan: Fiscal Year 2018 (Including historical trends and future targets - timely face-to-face contacts with children, p. 14), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, October 2017
- DFPS Data Book, Child Protective Services (CPS) Alternative Response: Timeliness of Initial Contact (Fiscal Years 2015, 2016, 2017; Interactive Map), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Charge: Services and supports provided to children in Permanent Managing Conservatorship of the state, and the level of preparedness given to youth aging out of state care
- Youth Parents and Pregnant Youth in DFPS Conservatorship: Fiscal Year 2017, Attachment: Report by County, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, February 1, 2018
- SB 1889 Legislative Report: The Status and Outcomes of Children Who Enter DFPS Conservatorship Due to Mental Health Needs, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, October 31, 2016
- DFPS Data Book, Child Protective Services (CPS) Conservatorship (Fiscal Years 2015, 2016, 2017; Interactive Map), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Charge: Effectiveness of public and private agency efforts to recruit and retain foster parents, barriers to entry and obstacles that prevent interested families from continuing to provide foster care
- "From Players to Partners: States Are Looking for Ways to Attract and Keep More Foster Parents as Caseloads Increase," State Legislatures, National Conference of State Legislatures, March 2018
- "Texas Could Be Forced to Recruit Thousands of Foster Parents as CPS Crisis Continues," Dallas Morning News, December 7, 2017
Substance Abuse/Opioids
Charge: Substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery programs; adequacy of substance use services for pregnant and postpartum women in Medicaid or Healthy Texas Women Program; impact of legislation on overprescribing and doctor shopping via the prescription monitoring program
- Prescription Drug Policy Resource Center, National Conference of State Legislatures, March 1, 2018
- Medicaid’s Role in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic, Kaiser Family Foundation, February 27, 2018
- "Doctors, Pharmacists Will Have to Use Prescription-Tracking Tool in 2019 for Opioids," San Antonio Express-News, January 8, 2018
- Evaluation of Medicaid Spending and Outcomes for Substance Use Disorder Treatment, As Required by Senate Bill 1, 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017 (Article II, HHSC, Rider 29), Health and Human Services Commission, November 2017
- The Opioid Epidemic and Federal Efforts to Address It: Frequently Asked Questions, Congressional Research Service, October 18, 2017
- Deep Dive: Opioid Addiction (Drug Crime Policy, Child Welfare, Health & Prevention), National Conference of State Legislatures
- Texas Prescription Monitoring Program, Texas State Board of Pharmacy
