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Interim Hearings – Week of May 13, 2024

May 8

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

May 14, 2024
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Charge: Cancer Prevention: Identify and recommend ways to address the growing impact of cancer on Texans by evaluating state investments in cancer prevention and screenings including, but not limited to, “CT,” “MRI, and “PET” scans. Study and make recommendations on funding adequacy for prevention efforts at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Charge: Health Insurance: Examine the Texas health insurance market and alternatives to employer-based insurance. Identify barriers Texans face when navigating a complex health insurance market. Make recommendations that help individuals obtain health care coverage.

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed by the 88th 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 25, relating to support for nursing-related postsecondary education, including scholarships to nursing students, loan repayment assistance to nurses and nursing faculty, and grants to nursing education programs.

 

Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education
Charge: Monitor the Ban on Discriminatory DEI Policies: Examine the implementation of Senate Bill 17, 88th Legislature, which bans discriminatory “DEI” initiatives at institutions of public higher education. Review and report on the progress each institution has made in aligning university policies and procedures with the provisions of Senate Bill 17, ensuring Texas college campuses foster equal opportunity and reward individual merit and achievement.

Charge: Combating Antisemitism on Texas College Campuses: Review campus policies to prevent antisemitism. Study the oversight Texas institutions of higher education have over the formation and operations of student organizations, including access to campus facilities and use of campus property. Make recommendations to prevent antisemitism on college campuses, while protecting First Amendment rights.

Charge: Campus Free Speech: Examine the procedures of Texas public institutions of higher education designed to protect the First Amendment free speech rights of faculty, staff, and students. Monitor and report on compliance Senate Bill 18, 86th Legislature, and make recommendations for any needed reforms.

 

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May 15, 2024
House Committee on House Administration
Topic: The committee will consider the budget for the following: Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations

 

Senate Committee on Local Government
Charge: Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: Review current laws relating to “squatters” or those claiming adverse possession of property. Make recommendations to streamline the process forthe immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights ofproperty owners’.

 

Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs
Charge: Veteran Mental Health: Review current programs that provide direct and indirect mental health services to veterans in Texas. Identify barriers to accessing mental health resources for rural veterans. Make recommendations to improve access to mental health support for all veterans.

Charge: Support Service Database for Texas Veterans: Review and report on the progress toward the creation of a single database to facilitate the seamless provision of veteran benefits by state agencies. Make recommendations to improve coordination among state, federal, and local agencies and others that provide benefits to veterans.

Charge: Strengthen Support for Veteran Housing: Study the accessibility and affordability of veteran housing. Identify factors that contribute to veteran homelessness. Determine whether the Veterans Land Board has the tools necessary to maximize their assistance to eligible borrowers in home lending. Make recommendations to update state standards related to veteran home loans and housing.

 

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Charge: Water System Reliability: Evaluate water systems in Texas and identify opportunities to better equip those systems to serve the public. Review the coordination of relevant state agencies dealing with Texas water issues and identify opportunities for improved coordination and effectiveness.

 

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This entry was posted on May 8, 2024 at 2:30 PM and has received 911 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of April 29, 2024

Apr 24

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

April 29, 2024
House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
Charge: Examining the current state of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies and its uses by private actors in a modern society.
Determining the impact of the application of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on various sectors of society.
Identifying policy considerations necessary to ensure the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

 

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May 2, 2024
House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports (Port Arthur)
Charge:
(1) Analyzing the applicable legal authorities under which the federal action was taken, including the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended (15 U.S.C. section 717 to 717z), and the Administrative Procedure Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. section 551-559);
(2) Assessing the potential economic, environmental, and social impacts of such federal action on the state;
(3) Identifying strategies to mitigate all adverse effects on the LNG industry. Texas's energy sector, and the state's economy as a whole; and
(4) Formulating recommendations for legislative, policy, or other remedial actions to address the challenges posed by the federal suspension of LNG export permits.

 

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This entry was posted on April 24, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 683 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of April 1, 2024

Mar 27

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

April 2-4, 2024
House Investigative Committee on The Panhandle Wildfires (April 2, April 3, April 4)
Pampa, Texas

Topics:
(1) factors contributing to the wildfires;
(2) allocation of resources to and effectiveness of wildfire disaster preparedness and response; and
(3) coordination between local, state, and federal governmental entites with regard to wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness, and response.

 

This entry was posted on March 27, 2024 at 3:30 PM and has received 554 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of December 18, 2023

Dec 15

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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 18, 2023
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.

 

 

This entry was posted on December 15, 2023 at 10:35 AM and has received 355 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of August 28, 2023

Aug 29

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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 1, 2023
House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety and Work Session (Eagle Pass) CANCELED
Topic: Invited testimony only on Operation Lone Star, including from the following state and federal agencies:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Military Department
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Office of the Governor
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

 

 

This entry was posted on August 29, 2023 at 10:45 AM and has received 565 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 763 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 1090 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 836 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 522 views. Print this entry.

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