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 22, 2022
Joint Oversight Committee on Community-Based Care Transition
Invited testimony only
August 23, 2022
House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Charge: Study potential solutions to improve the judicial efficiency of the state courts of appeals by analyzing caseloads and making appropriate recommendations.
- The Use of Remote Hearings in Texas State Courts: The Impact on the Judicial Workload, National Center for State Courts, December 2021
- Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary (Court-Level Trends: Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeals), Office of Court Administration, Fiscal Year 2021
- Intermediate Appellate Courts in Texas: A System Needing Structural Repair, Texans for Lawsuit Reform Foundation, 2020
- Annual Statistical Reports (Includes Annual Statistical Supplements), Office of Court Administration
Charge: Study the operations of specialty courts. Determine whether additional specialty courts should be considered to address needs within specific populations. Review specialty court methods and best practices that have been implemented for specialty courts in other states, including their impact on judicial efficiency.
- Specialty Courts (Includes List of active Specialty Courts in Texas), Texas Judicial Branch, updated April 7, 2022
- Problem-Solving Courts Annual Report | FY 2021, The Michigan Supreme Court, April 2022
- Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards (Vol. I, Vol. II), National Association of Drug Court Professionals, revised 2018
- Study on Outcomes of Participants in Specialty Courts Who Have a Mental Illness, As Directed by SB 1326, 85th Legislature, Office of Court Administration
- Office of Problem-Solving Courts, Florida Office of State Courts Administration
- Problem-Solving Courts, National Center for State Courts
- Texas Special Courts: Overview, Specialty Court Resource Center
House Committee on Natural Resources
Charge: Monitor the implementation of SB 1160, relating to the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District, and explore ways in which the state can further support the construction of a coastal barrier system.
- Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study: Final Report, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas General Land Office, August 2021
- Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study: Final Environmental Impact Statement, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas General Land Office, August 2021
- Gulf Coast Protection District (GDPD) Programs (Coastal Texas Study and S2G Program), Documents (Meetings), Gulf Coast Protection District
- Coastal Texas Study: 2021 Final Feasibility Report, Fact Sheets, Coastal Texas Story Map, and Frequently Asked Questions, Texas General Land Office
Charge: Review the adequacy and efficiency of current mechanisms used to compensate water right holders when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality temporarily transfers a water right under an emergency authorization. Make appropriate recommendations for the protection of private property rights of water right holders.
- Surface Water Rights and Availability, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, last modified June 28, 2022
- Water Rights During Drought, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, last modified May 27, 2022
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission: Sunset Staff Report (TCEQ's Oversight of Water Could Better Protect the State's Scarce Resources), Sunset Advisory Commission, May 2022
- Water Rights Viewer, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, last modified March 3, 2022
- 30 Texas Administrative Code §§ 36.1-36.8, Suspension or Adjustment of Water Rights During Drought or Emergency Water Shortage, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Charge: Monitor newly adopted and proposed federal regulations that could impact activities that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee, including regulations under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of waters of the United States.
- Waters of the United States, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated May 4, 2022
- Current Implementation of Waters of the United States, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated December 20, 2021
- Proposed Rule, 33 CFR Part 328 and 40 CFR Part 120, Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States," U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Register, December 7, 2021
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Charge: Health Care Workforce: Study the impact of the global pandemic on the health care workforce in acute and long-term care. Identify health care staffing challenges and examine how staffing services and payment models changed the economics of the health care workforce. Identify and recommend ways to increase the health care workforce pipeline.
- Nursing Supply and Demand Projections, Texas Department of State Health Services, August 17, 2022
- Addressing Nursing Shortages: Options For States, National Conference of State Legislatures, June 20, 2022
- State Strategies to Recruit and Retain the Behavioral Health Workforce, National Conference of State Legislatures, May 20, 2022
- Making Progress on Texas' Education-to-Workforce Pipeline, Texas 2036, May 19, 2022
- Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hospital and Outpatient Clinician Workforce: Challenges and Policy Responses, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, May 3, 2022
- Behavioral Health Workforce Is a National Crisis: Immediate Policy Actions for States, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, October 27, 2021
August 24, 2022
House Committee on Natural Resources
Charge: Examine the condition of Texas’ water and flood mitigation infrastructure capabilities and consider future infrastructure needs. Evaluate sustainable funding sources to provide for water project development and infrastructure repair and replacement. Examine and make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that enhance the state’s available water supply.
Please note: the desalination portion of this charge will be held at a later date.
- Paving the Road for Infrastructure Development, National Conference of State Legislatures, May 11, 2022
- Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Jump to Section: Drinking Water & Wastewater), National Association of Counties, March 4, 2022
- 2022 State Water Plan - Water for Texas, Texas Water Development Board, July 7, 2021
- Report to the Governor: Public Water System Capacity Development Program, Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, September 2020
- Funding Water Infrastructure, Fiscal Notes, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, April 2019
- State Flood Assessment: Report to the 86th Texas Legislature, Texas Water Development Board, January 2019
- State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), Texas Water Development Board
Charge: Examine the state’s groundwater management policy and regulatory framework. Include a review of large-scale water transfers and their impact on groundwater resources. Make appropriate recommendations for legislation or state agency action to:
- promote the achievement of planning goals under Chapter 36, Water Code, including those involving desired future conditions;
- provide adequate transparency to the permit application process;
- further the state's groundwater quality protection efforts, including an assessment of risks posed to groundwater by abandoned and deteriorated water wells and orphan oil and gas wells; and
- promote conservation and waste prevention.
- Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report, 2021, Texas Groundwater Protection Committee, July 2022
- Texas Water Development Board, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee: Staff Report with Commission Decisions, Sunset Advisory Commission, July 2022
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission: Staff Report, Sunset Advisory Commission, May 2022
- Groundwater Assessment: 2022 State of Texas Water Quality Inventory, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, April 2022
- Groundwater Withdrawals Associated with Oil and Gas Production from Water Supply Aquifers in Texas: Implications for Water Management Practices, Texas Water Journal, December 13, 2021
- TCEQ Sunset Self-Evaluation Report (Office of Water: Water Rights Permitting Program, Groundwater Program), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, September 2021
- Texas Water Development Board Self-Evaluation Report (VII. Guide to Programs: Water Science and Conservation - Conservation, Innovative Water Technologies, Groundwater; IX. Major Issues - 3. Desired Future Conditions and Modeled Available Groundwater in Groundwater Management Plans), Texas Water Development Board, September 1, 2021
- Activities and Recommendations of the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee: Report to the 87th Legislature and Priority Groundwater Management Areas and Groundwater Conservation Districts: Report to the 87th Texas Legislature, Texas Groundwater Protection Committee, January 2021
- Progress Made in Water Conservation in Texas: Report and Recommendations to the 87th Texas Legislature, Water Conservation Advisory Council, December 1, 2020
House Interim Study Committee on Criminal Justice Reform
Charge: Examine the appropriate age range for the juvenile justice system and parole eligibility, in addition to procedures for juveniles certified as adults.
- Meeting the Needs of Emerging Adults in the Justice System, National Center for State Courts, July 11, 2022
- Taking a Second Look at Juvenile Sentencing, Right on Crime, July 2022
- Juvenile Age of Jurisdiction and Transfer to Adult Court Laws, National Conference of State Legislatures, April 8, 2021
- "Raise the Age": Hold 17-Year-Olds Accountable in the Juvenile Justice System, Texas Center for Justice and Equity, 2021
- Principles of Effective Juvenile Justice Policy (Principle 4: The Age and Scope of Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Should Take Into Account Research and Evidence About Youth Development), National Conference of State Legislatures, January 2018
Charge: Examine opportunities to reduce recidivism and remove barriers to re-entry after justice involvement.
- Responding to Community Supervision Violations with Alternatives to Incarceration, National Conference of State Legislatures, February 18, 2022
- How 4 States Cut Their Criminal Justice Budgets Without Sacrificing Safety, National Conference of State Legislatures, February 7, 2022
- Five Evidence-Based Policies Can Improve Community Supervision, PEW Charitable Trusts, January 27, 2022
- First Step Act Approved Programs Guide, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, July 2021
- Five Program Models for Reducing Recidivism, The Maryland Public Policy Institute, 2021
- Biennial Reentry and Reintegration Services Report, Reentry and Integration Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, September 2020
August 25, 2022
House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
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 1258, relating to data matching with financial institutions to facilitate the collection of certain delinquent taxes; and
- HJR 99, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county; authorizing the issuance of bonds and notes.
Charge: Review the impact of investments by public retirement systems of their endowment and other trust funds in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance.
- The Importance of Russian Trade and Investment Activity to the Texas Economy, The Perryman Group, April 2022
- U.S. Funds Remain Vigilant Over Exposure to Russian Securities, Pensions & Investments, March 30, 2022
- Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar's Statement on Potential Russia Divestments, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, March 2, 2022
Charge: Review state and federal regulations surrounding blockchain, including virtual currencies. Examine how these technologies impact industries in the state, and possible consumer protections.
- Blockchain 2022 Legislation, National Conference of State Legislatures, June 7, 2022
- Reports Show Scammers Cashing in on Crypto Craze, Federal Trade Commission, June 2022
- Blockchain: Emerging Technology Offers Benefits for Some Applications by Faces Challenges, U.S. Government Accountability Office, March 2022
- Texas Commissioner Stops Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Mining Scheme, Texas State Securities Board, February 21, 2022
- Cryptocurrency Fraud Soars, Spurring State Action, PEW Charitable Trusts, November 17, 2021
- The SEC's Regulatory Role in the Digital Asset Markets, Center for American Progress, October 2021
- Virtual Currencies on the Rise, National Conference of State Legislatures, April 1, 2021
- Overview of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology for State Government Functions, Legislative Budget Board, April 2019
- The Investor's Guide to Cryptocurrency Offerings, Texas State Securities Board
Review the state’s investment in the Texas Bullion Depository. Evaluate available information on the status, condition, operations, participation, and prospects to assess the value of the state having its own precious metals depository.
- The Texas Bullion Depository: The Only State-Run Depository Prepares to Go Global, Fiscal Notes, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, August 2021
- Texas Just Opened the Nation's First State-Run Gold Depository. Here's What That Means., Texas Tribune, Jun 6, 2018
