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Sunset Commission Meeting, January 11, 2023

Jan 4

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Sunset review

Sunset Advisory Commission, January 11
Consideration and possible action on the recommendations for the following agencies:

Staff presentation of options to address systemic issues at the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and consideration and possible action on those options

Final vote on commission recommendations to the 88th Legislature
Status report on Implementation of 2021 Sunset Recommendations

This entry was posted on January 4, 2023 at 3:45 PM and has received 522 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of December 12, 2022

Dec 7

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

December 12, 2022
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Charge: 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 1540, which implements various changes to state law based on recommendations of the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force.

Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of the following legislation:

  • HB 569 - relating to credit toward payment of a fine and costs for certain misdemeanants confined in jail or prison before sentencing.
  • SB 111 - relating to certain duties of law enforcement agencies concerning certain information subject to disclosure to a defendant.
  • SB 162 - relating to a false statement made to illegally acquire a firearm; creating a criminal offense.
  • SB 1354 - relating to the prosecution of the offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.

Charge: Examine ways to increase the rate of compliance for court-ordered appearances, including new technologies that will facilitate contact with those ordered to appear. Consider the effectiveness of virtual appearances for certain offenses.

 

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December 15, 2022
Senate Committee on State Affairs (Marshall)
Charge: 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.

 

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This entry was posted on December 7, 2022 at 9:15 AM and has received 762 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings and Sunset Commission Hearings – Week of December 5, 2022

Nov 30

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings, Sunset review

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.

 

December 5, 2022
House Committee on State Affairs
Topic: Update on the proposed changes to the ERCOT market design.

 

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December 6, 2022
House Committee on House Administration
Topic: Invited testimony only from any Member of the 88th Legislature who submits a proposal for a suggested rules change to the Committee.

 

House Committee on House Administration
Topic: The committee will meet to consider the adoption of a parental leave pool.

 

Sunset Advisory Commission
Staff presentation and invited testimony only:

 

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December 7, 2022
Sunset Advisory Commission
Staff presentation and invited testimony only:

 

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December 8, 2022
House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Strategic Fiscal Review & Federal Relief Funds
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Strategic Fiscal Review and Federal Relief Funds will meet to consider the following agency reviews:

  • Texas Juvenile Justice Department
  • Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Low-level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission
  • Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
  • Texas Water Development Board
  • Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel
  • Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

 

State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory
Topic: The advisory committees shall review the overall operation, function, and structure of the funds at least semiannually and may provide comments and recommendations to the board on any matter.

 

Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund Advisory
Topic: The advisory committee shall review the overall operation, function, and structure of the resiliency fund at least semiannually and may provide comments and recommendations to the board on any matter.

 

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December 9, 2022
Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Charge: Illegal Temporary License Plates: Examine and report on the relationship of the unlawful sale and use of temporary paper license plates with crimes related to human trafficking, drug trafficking, theft, and homicide.

Charge: Re-entry Programs for Inmates: Review current offender re-entry programs provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and county jails, and identify barriers to their success. Make recommendations to enhance successful programs to ensure adequate resources and support for released offenders.

Criminal Case Backlogs: Evaluate the current backlog of criminal cases. Consider and recommend ways to reduce delays and ensure timely resolution of cases, including an examination of methods developed by district attorneys, judges, and court administrators.

Public Safety: Examine the recent Harris County release from custody of hundreds of criminal defendants onto the streets without bond or review by a magistrate. Identify what caused this threat to public safety in Harris County and determine if it has occurred in any other counties in Texas. Make recommendations to ensure criminal defendants are timely brought before a magistrate for probable cause hearings and bond hearings, and that appropriate bond is set.

 

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This entry was posted on November 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM and has received 1089 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Weeks of November 7 and November 14, 2022

Nov 7

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

November 10, 2022
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence CANCELED
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 1540, which implements various changes to state law based on recommendations of the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force.

Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of the following legislation:

  • HB 569 – relating to credit toward payment of a fine and costs for certain misdemeanants confined in jail or prison before sentencing.
  • HB 1005 – relating to the requisites of a bail bond given by certain defendants and to conditions of release on bond for certain defendants.
  • SB 111 – relating to certain duties of law enforcement agencies concerning certain information subject to disclosure to a defendant.
  • SB 162 – relating to a false statement made to illegally acquire a firearm; creating a criminal offense.
  • SB 768 – relating to increasing the criminal penalties for manufacture or delivery of fentanyl and related substances; creating a criminal offense.
  • SB 1125 – relating to the disposition of certain controlled substance property and plants seized by or forfeited to a law enforcement agency.
  • SB 1354 – relating to the prosecution of the offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.

Charge: Examine ways to increase the rate of compliance for court-ordered appearances, including new technologies that will facilitate contact with those ordered to appear. Consider the effectiveness of virtual appearances for certain offenses.

 

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November 14, 2022
House Committee on Natural Resources (Weslaco)
The committee will meet to take testimony on issues regarding the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 as they relate to both the introduced and passed versions of SB 2185.

 

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November 15, 2022
Senate Committee on Border Security
Charge: Community Impact: Study and report on the impact of Operation Lone Star on border, rural, and urban communities throughout Texas.

 

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November 16, 2022
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Charge: Groundwater Management and Protection: Evaluate the status and effectiveness of the State's groundwater management process, including data used to support regional water planning and conservation goals. Report on the effectiveness of the State's groundwater protection efforts and whether statutory changes are needed to protect groundwater quality.

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs passed by the 87th 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:

  • Senate Bill 8 (86th Legislature), Relating to state and regional flood planning;
  • Senate Bill 601 (87th Legislature), Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium;
  • Senate Bill 905 (87th Legislature), Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater; and
  • House Bill 3516 (87th Legislature), Relating to the regulation of the recycling of fluid oil and gas waste.

 

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November 17, 2022
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Charge: Electricity: Assess the electricity market in Texas. Study issues impacting the Texas electric grid, including transmission planning and maintenance scheduling. Study the consequences of increased electric vehicle usage and charging on the generation, transmission and distribution, and retail sectors of Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and evaluate their potential impact on increased electric demand and reliability of the grid. Examine the growth of renewable energy generation in the state and evaluate its impact on grid reliability. Make recommendations to strengthen the reliability of the grid, and meet the future generation needs of ERCOT through new and existing dispatchable generation. Assess plans to expeditiously add new dispatchable generation. Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 3, 87th Legislature.

Charge: Blockchain and Virtual Currencies: Study current state and federal regulations surrounding blockchain and virtual currencies. Examine how these technologies impact industries such as banking, business, and electricity. Make recommendations to protect consumers while encouraging innovation. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 1576 and House Bill 4474, 87th Legislature.

 

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
Charge: Economic Development Programs: Review the programs in Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code. Consider the benefits of each program in generating economic development. Make recommendations for improvements to Chapters 380 and 381 to increase transparency and accountability and the effectiveness of the programs.

Charge: Hotel Occupancy Taxes: Study the collection and use of hotel occupancy taxes. Evaluate and make recommendations related to the effectiveness, costs of rebates, incentives, and other taxes applied to qualified hotel and convention center projects. Investigate and determine whether the creation of a standard Hotel Occupancy Tax legislative template is feasible, and whether it would enable the legislature to more efficiently evaluate proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax bills during the legislative session.

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development passed by the 87th 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:

  • Senate Bill 13, Relating to state contracts with and investments in certain companies that boycott energy companies.

 

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This entry was posted on November 7, 2022 at 3:40 PM and has received 835 views. Print this entry.

Sunset Commission Meeting, November 10, 2022

Nov 2

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Sunset review

Sunset Advisory Commission, November 10
Consideration and possible action on the recommendations for the following agencies:

Staff presentation and public testimony:

 

 

 

This entry was posted on November 2, 2022 at 11:35 AM and has received 691 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 24, 2022

Oct 25

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

October 26, 2022
House Committee on Appropriations
Topic: Update from the Broadband Development Office

Topic: Update on the Unified Transportation Program

Topic: Overview of select agency Legislative Appropriations Requests

 

 

This entry was posted on October 25, 2022 at 10:10 AM and has received 742 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 17, 2022

Oct 12

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

October 18, 2022
House Committee on Environmental Regulation (Odessa)
Topic: Work session, touring air monitoring equipment

 

House Committee on Natural Resources
Topic: Study the feasibility of desalination as a new and/or alternative water source for the state of Texas.

 

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October 19, 2022
House Committee on Environmental Regulation (Odessa)
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 1680, relating to the regulation of on-site sewage disposal systems on certain leased land that is owned by the federal government;
  • HB 4472, relating to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP); and
  • SB 900, which updates performance and safety standards for chemical storage vessels.

Charge: Evaluate the allocation of TERP funds for effective air pollution reduction programs. Review which existing programs are over or undersubscribed and identify unrealized opportunities that would further program goals.

Charge: Review recent passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law No. 117-58), specifically funds that may bolster efforts to clean up polluted sites and plug wells and how federal funds can be used to complement state efforts on well plugging and pollution clean-up.

Charge: Monitor newly adopted and proposed federal regulations that could directly impact economic development, manufacturing, and industrial activities that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee, including regulations adopted or proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

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October 21, 2022
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Charge: Study Texas' reentry and integration programs and make recommendations for reducing employment barriers for certain people with a criminal record. Review the length of time certain criminal offenses remain on a defendant’s record and consider the impact of expanding the offenses that qualify for an order of non-disclosure. Evaluate the financial and administrative barriers in the petitioning process for record-clearing relief.

Charge: Study the availability of victim services, including community-based trauma recovery, housing and relocation assistance, employment protections, and other services that help victims recover and stay safe following a violent crime. The study should include an evaluation of the processes for nongovernmental organizations to apply for and receive victim services grant funding. Make recommendations for streamlining the grant administration process and improving access to community-based services in neighborhoods with the highest rates of crime and for victims of violent crimes.

 

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This entry was posted on October 12, 2022 at 1:05 PM and has received 521 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 10, 2022

Oct 6

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

October 12, 2022
House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Charge: Evaluate the use and types of guardianships in Texas and the effect of guardianship on individual rights. Study the financial costs to families related to attaining and maintaining guardianship and compare costs to those associated with guardianship alternatives, such as supported decision-making.

Charge: Study state laws and procedures relating to jury service eligibility, including a review of existing jury exemptions, and make recommendations to ensure the privilege, right, and duty of jury service is protected and promoted.

 

House Interim Study Committee on Criminal Justice Reform
Charge: Monitor the implementation of S.B. 6 (87th Legislature, 2nd Called Session), relating to changes in the state's bail system, to determine if additional legislation is needed to ensure Texans are protected from the most dangerous criminals while ensuring the constitutional rights of defendants.

Topic: Examine policies and penalties relating to drug offenses.

Topic: Examine the civil asset forfeiture process.

Topic: Examine jury instructions and sentencing guidelines in felony cases.

 

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October 13, 2022
House Interim Study Committee on Criminal Justice Reform
Topic: Examine policing, including training, use of force, arrest procedures, and alternative responses to nonviolent and noncriminal issues.

Topic: Examine the use of prosecutorial discretion.

Topic: Examine the use and conditions of detention and incarceration.

Topic: Examine the level of transparency in policing and prosecution, including the grand jury process.

 

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This entry was posted on October 6, 2022 at 8:45 AM and has received 678 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 3, 2022

Sep 28

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

October 3, 2022
House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence and House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues (Joint)
Charge: Examine current caseloads and capacity issues for courts handling matters related to the Texas-Mexico border. Evaluate the preparedness of the court system to handle increases in caseloads that may result from the border crisis response and make recommendations to ensure the continued fair and efficient administration of justice in the state in addressing any increased caseloads.

 

House Select Committee on Health Care Reform
Charge: Study ways to improve outreach to families with children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicaid or CHIP, including children in rural areas.

Charge: Examine the potential impact of delayed care on the state's health care delivery system, health care costs, and patient health outcomes, as well as best practices for getting patients with foregone or delayed interventions back into the health care system. The study should consider patient delays in obtaining preventive and primary health services, such as well-child care, prenatal care, screenings for cancer and chronic disease, behavioral health, and immunizations, in addition to delays in seeking urgent care or care for chronic illness.

 

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October 4, 2022
House Committee on Energy Resources (Midland)
Charge: 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 1520, relating to extraordinary costs incurred by gas utilities relating to Winter Storm Uri and the authority to issue bonds and impose fees and assessments; and
  • HB 3648, which requires the designation of certain natural gas facilities as critical customers or critical gas suppliers during energy emergencies.

Charge: Examine ways to increase the production of oil and gas within the state. Review state and local regulations that could directly impact the exploration or production of oil and gas and make recommendations for increasing Texas' energy independence.

Charge: Explore options for expanding the state's underground natural gas storage capacity, including using excess storage capacity for carbon capture opportunities and the creation of a strategic natural gas reserve for the state.

Charge: Evaluate innovative and emerging energy sources. Identify and make recommendations to address legislative or regulatory obstacles to the use, development, and deployment of viable innovative and emerging energy sources.

 

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October 6, 2022
House Committee on Transportation (Corpus Christi)
Topic: Discuss transportation safety efforts in Texas.

Charge: Study the impacts that increased federal funding, formula changes, and new programs authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will have on state transportation projects. Evaluate strategies to ensure Texas communities can maximize receipt of federal grant funds.

Charge: Examine the ability of the state’s seaports to promote the public purposes of state economic growth, diversification, and commerce through development of port-owned properties within their boundaries. Review the investments needed for Texas ports to remain competitive in handling increased cargo volumes and ensuring a resilient supply chain.

 

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This entry was posted on September 28, 2022 at 11:10 AM and has received 1002 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of September 19, 2022

Sep 14

posted by TexasLRL in 87th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

September 20, 2022
House Committee on Higher Education and House Committee on Public Education (Joint)
Charge 1: Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce, and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state.

 

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September 21, 2022
House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Charge 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 1728, relating to partnerships between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and nonprofit entities to promote hunting and fishing by certain veterans; and
  • HB 3081, which relates to the issuance of digital tags for the taking of certain animals.

Charge 2: Review the overall state of Texas' travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Make recommendations for statutory and regulatory changes to ensure industry resiliency and vitality. Consider the following:

  • Access to federal recovery programs and efforts that enable the draw-down of federal funding;
  • Improvement of workforce reliability; and
  • Use of the supplemental money appropriated to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism through SB 8 (87S3).

Charge 3: Review state efforts to preserve and develop Texas state parks and open spaces to ensure affordable public access to outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.

 

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September 23, 2022
House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Charge 3: Examine obstacles to the reporting of domestic violence and how these obstacles contribute to the difficulty in obtaining and enforcing a protective order. Examine new technologies that could facilitate domestic violence reporting without putting victims at risk of further violence and harm.

 

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This entry was posted on September 14, 2022 at 9:35 AM and has received 1047 views. Print this entry.

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