The committee has requested written submissions on the following topics. Below are resources related to those topics.

• House Committee on Appropriations
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Infrastructure, Resiliency, & Investments
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Articles I, IV & V
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Article III
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII & VIII

Charge 1: Monitor and oversee the implementation of appropriations bills and other relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the Committee will also specifically monitor implementation of appropriations for:

 

Charge 2: Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System and Teacher Retirement System pension funds. Examine the cost of and potential strategies for achieving and maintaining the actuarial soundness of the funds. Examine the effect the unfunded liabilities could have on the state's credit rating. Examine the state's investment policies and practices, including investment objectives, targets, disclosure policies, and transparency. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services)

 

Charge 3: Examine the cost of state employee turnover on the state budget and review the impact of recent targeted salary increases, including those at the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

 

Charge 4: Evaluate the volume and efficacy of reporting requirements required in the General Appropriations Act and identify opportunities to streamline and consolidate agency reporting requirements.

 

Charge 5: Monitor the implementation of SB 68, providing for expanded implementation of the Strategic Fiscal Review process.

 

Charge 6: Examine the number, type, and estimated value of accounts maintained outside of the State Treasury, and the potential impact to state budget certification made by moving additional funds outside the Treasury.

 

Charge 7: Identify structural changes that can be made to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) in order to maximize investments and establish a source of funding for long-term liabilities. Examine the potential of using the fund for long-term infrastructure projects and the impact of the constitutional cap on the ESF balance.

 

Charge 8: Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years with potential impact on the appropriations process and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.

 

 

Charge 1: Monitor the implementation of disaster-related legislation from the 86th Legislature, including but not limited to SB 7, SB 8, and SB 500. Identify any issues and corresponding remedies for those issues in drawing down any federal funds related to the purposes of carrying out the intent of the newly enacted legislation.

 

Charge 2: Review the funding appropriated to state agencies for information technology (IT) and cybersecurity improvements and modernization. Evaluate the cost of ongoing IT and cybersecurity upgrades and the methodology for prioritizing projects.

 

Charge 3: Monitor the implementation of SB 69 and the impact to investment returns made from the Economic Stabilization Fund.

 

Charge 1: Monitor the agencies and programs under Articles I, IV, and V, and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature.

 

Charge 2: Monitor the use of additional funds provided to the Department of Public Safety for driver license services improvements and construction of new driver license service centers. Evaluate the progress being made to reduce wait times at service centers throughout the state.

 

Charge 3: Monitor use of state funding to increase forensic testing and reduce the sexual assault kit backlog.

 

Charge 4: Evaluate funding provided to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for the repair, maintenance, and upgrade of prison facilities. Determine areas of the facilities that are in most need of repair, maintenance, or upgrade and examine the costs associated with such repairs, maintenance, or upgrades. Examine the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee's administration of Hepatitis C treatment and procedures. Review the Community Justice Assistance Division's current compliance practices and examine current funding formulas for adult probation departments. Study the TDCJ's ownership of real property not being used for prison facilities, including the amount of property owned and its highest and best use. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Corrections)

 

Charge 5: Monitor efforts by the Office of the Attorney General to redevelop the Texas Child Support Enforcement System.

 

Charge 6: Examine the major cost drivers within and the impact of funding provided to the Correctional Managed Health Care program.

 

Charge 1: Monitor the agencies and programs under Article III and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature.

 

Charge 2: Evaluate ongoing costs associated with implementing the provisions of HB 3.

 

Charge 3: Review formula funding for higher education institutions in Texas. Examine the general efficiency and equity of formula funding for these higher education institutions. Monitor the implementation of mission-specific pilot formulas at the state's health-related institutions.

 

Charge 4: Examine the state higher education institutions' resources and research into the causes and cures for degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous conditions and the projected costs to the state for the treatment of those conditions.

 

Charge 1: Monitor the agencies and programs under Articles VI, VII, and VIII, and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature.

 

Charge 2: Monitor the status of the operation, maintenance, and structural repairs of low hazard and high hazard dams throughout the state, as well as implementation of funds appropriated to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board's Flood Control Program during the 86th Legislature. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock)

 

Charge 3: Monitor the use of additional funds provided to the Texas Department of Transportation in SB 500 for the Transportation Infrastructure Fund. Examine existing fund balances and determine if the funds should be held in a more efficient manner.

 

Charge 4: Evaluate funding provided to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the repair, maintenance, and upgrade of state park facilities. Determine the facilities that are in most need of repair, maintenance, or upgrade and examine the costs associated with such repairs, maintenance, or upgrades.