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HillCo Partners has spotlighted a selection of House and Senate interim charges by categorizing them below in an abbreviated format. The information below is neither comprehensive in scope nor in the list of charges, a full list of Senate Interim Charges and House Interim Charges will be available at their respective links complete with specifics on charge language.

Contracts

  • Examine purchasing practices by state agencies to ensure such practices are efficient and transparent – House Committee on Government Transparency and Operations
  • Monitor SB 20 (84th R) and study trends in state contracting as developed by the LBB and recommend new or modified strategies to ensure all contracting is executed in a transparent and judicious manner – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Examine procedures regarding contract monitoring, compliance, performance evaluation and notification requirements for state contracting procedures & include recommendation for “best value” – House Committee on State Affairs
  • Study the contracting practices at major state agencies to determine if additional reforms are needed to maintain public confidence and trust in the expenditure of state funds – House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics

Taxes/Transparency/Ballot

  • Examining the ethics laws governing public offices and employees as well as review financial disclosures –  House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics
  • Examining debt transparency in the voting booth – Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
  • Examine process used by home rule municipalities to adopt ordinances, rules, and regulations, including those initiated by petition and voter referendum & determine if additional safeguards are necessary to ensure that ballot language accurately describes proposed initiatives – Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
  • Evaluate options to improve the transparency of local bond elections – House Committee on Elections
  • Study the property tax process and recommend ways to promote transparency, simplicity, and accountability – Senate Committee on Finance (Select Subcommittee on Property Tax Reform and Relief)
  • Examine and develop options to further reduce the tax burden on property owners – Senate Committee on Finance (Select Subcommittee on Property Tax Reform and Relief)
  • Study of franchise tax and effects of continuing to phase out including alternate approached to funding the Property Tax Relief Fund – Senate Committee on Finance

Economic

  • Constitutional Spending limits will be reviewed in both the House Committee on Appropriations & Senate Committee on Finance
  • Monitor implementation of the voter improved increased residence homestead tax exemptions (Prop.1 SJR 1 (84th R)) and determine the amount of tax relief and cost to the state to make up the revenue loss for school districts – House Committee on Ways and Means
  • Consider options for ensuring available revenues above spending limit are reserved for tax relief – Senate Committee on Finance
  • Study the impacts of the declining price of oil and the continuously depressed price of natural gas on the Texas economy and the fiscal implications for the Texas budget – House Committee on Appropriations and Joint Charge with House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development & House Energy Resources
  • Monitor available funds within the Texas Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), review prior revenue predictions, etc – House Committee on Appropriations

Economic Development

  • Oversee implantation of HB 26 (84th R) and review best practices for measuring success of economic development incentives – House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
  • Evaluate Texas’ competitiveness with other states in recruiting high-tech industries and creating new jobs – House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
  • Examining the current investment climate and resources available to business in Texas and evaluating the effectiveness and necessity of programs and resources currently used to support economic development in Texas – House Committee on Investments and Financial Services & Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development (respectively)
  • Evaluate what local governments are doing to attract business to their communities including analysis of 4A and 4B sales tax programs and study of economic development corporations- House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
  • Study opportunities and financial incentives for expansion and growth of small businesses – House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
  • Examine SAO review of Chapter 313 agreements and examine special issues raised by Ch.313 projects covering more than one school district – House Committee on Ways and Means
  • Review statutes prohibiting or restricting investments in foreign nations – House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility

Regulatory

  • Review of regulatory functions across all agencies and departments to determine consolidation, efficiency and reduction of regulatory burden – House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures

Pensions

  • Review and make recommendations to reduce state debt liabilities, including state pension liability – Senate Committee on Finance
  • Examine the fiscal and policy impacts of structural reforms that would increase state public pension plans' ability to achieve and maintain actuarial soundness – House Committee on Pensions
  • Monitor the implementation of HB 9 (84R) and study updated projections towards actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Monitor the implementation of HB 2 (84R) as it pertains to the short-term funding provided to TRS-Care – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Study the impact that fluctuations in global financial markets have had on public pension funds – House Committee on Pensions
  • Examine Texas pension funds’ compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Financial Reporting Statements 67 and 68, and identify the effect the reporting requirements are having on the state's pension systems – House Committee on Pensions

Education

  • Review all public schools in Texas and examine ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and student academic outcomes & study performance-based funding mechanisms that allocate dollars based upon achievement versus attendance – Senate Committee on Public Education   
  • Examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Cost of Education Index (CEI) – House Committee on Public Education
  • Evaluate the current state of school district facility needs and debt; review IFA and EDA – House Committee on Public Education
  • Conduct a review of current public education programs administered by the Texas Education Agency that are funded outside of the Foundation School Program – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Review current public education program that address the needs of high performing students – House Committee on Public Education
  • Review current education policies and initiatives regarding students at middle grades for high school retention which includes an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth – House Committee on Public Education
  • Examine accessibly to broadband services and evaluate digital learning opportunities/integration – House Committee on Public Education & Senate Committee on Public Education
  • Study the approval, expansion, and revocation of public charter schools in Texas, including the implementation of SB 2 (83R) and other legislation – Senate Committee on Public Education
  • Study inappropriate teacher student relationships – House Committee on Public Education and Senate Committee on Public Education
  • Study teacher shortage and retention issues in Texas and evaluate educator preparation programs – Joint Charge with the Senate Committee on Public Education & Senate Committee on Higher Education
  • Evaluating school choice programs – House Committee on Public Education and Senate Committee on Public Education
  • Examine current school board governance policies and practices and make recommendations that could improve the focus, attitudes, and outcomes of Texas school boards, districts, and students – Senate Committee on Education
  • Examine partnership between higher education institutions, public school districts, and workforce that promote postsecondary readiness – Joint Charge with House Committee on Public Education and House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development
  • Examine best practices and recommend strategies to align the implementation with the 60x30TX higher education plan – Senate Committee on Higher Education
  • Review current funding formulas for community colleges – Joint Charge with House Committee on Appropriations and House Committee on Higher Education
  • Examine formulas used to fund institutions of higher education – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Study the cost of tuition and student debt at public institutions of higher education in Texas – House Committee on Higher Education & Senate Committee on Higher Education
  • Study the long-term viability of the Hazelwood Act – Joint Charge with the House Committee on Higher Education and House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs
  • Study current policies and initiatives at institutions of higher education, including community colleges, and make recommendations toward the prevention and elimination of sexual assault on college campuses – House Committee on Higher Education

Environment

  • Study the impact and identify challenges Texas faces implementing proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations – Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Monitor initiatives at the local level to regulate environmental issues – House Committee on Environmental Regulation
  • Study and make recommendations regarding the use of Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) – Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Evaluate the permitting process in Texas – Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Study oil field theft – House Committee on Energy Resources & Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Study enforcement policies of the Railroad Commission of Texas – House Committee on Energy Resources
  • Examine how the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) can ensure consumer protection regarding metering devices – House Committee on State Affairs
  • Evaluate the administrative process used to determine utility rates – House Committee on State Affairs
  • Streamline programs or services and enhance grid safety ERCOT/PUC and identify barriers ERCOT/PUC may have in their governance – Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Study current renewable energy regulations and review the rights of Texas landowners – House Committee on Energy Resources
  • Discuss how a competitive market across the border will affect Texas oil, gas and energy markets – Joint Charge with House Committee on Energy Resources and House Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Study and make recommendations regarding prevention or removal of trash/debris/waterborne or windblown litter in surface water – House Committee on Environmental Regulation & Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs
  • Review various regulations for household hazardous waste disposal – House Committee on Environmental Regulation
  • Study and make recommendations regarding the ownership, production, and transfer of surface water and groundwater in the state of Texas – Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs
  • Evaluate status of legislation to encourage joint groundwater planning and monitor ongoing legal developments concerning ownership and access to groundwater and impact to property rights and groundwater management – House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Determine if sufficient safety standards exist to protect groundwater contamination from disposal and injection wells – Joint Charge with the House Committee on Energy Resources & House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Examine the State Water Plan – House Committee on Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs
  • Determine the sources of water used by Texans in the production of food and fiber – House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
  • Evaluate the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits and challenges of expanded markets for water – House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Analyze the factors contributing to freshwater loss in the state – House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Evaluate the progress of seawater desalination projects near the Texas coast and examine the viability of the use of public-private partnerships and methods by which state might facilitate such a project – House Committee on Natural Resources

Health Care

  • Study policies used by research and medical entities in regards to human fetal tissue – House Committee on State Affairs & Senate Committee on Human Services
  • Study aging Texans – House Committee on Human Services & Senate Committee on Human Services
  • Use of telemedicine – House Committee on Public Health & Senate Committee on Human Services
  • Study penalty calculations under Texas’ prompt payment law – House Committee on Insurance & Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
  • Review hospital reimbursement methodologies – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Review the Texas Medicaid programs providing long-term services and support and study reimbursements – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Study the trauma system in Texas including financing – Joint Study with the House Committee on Appropriations & House Committee on Public Health
  • Examine the historic growth of the Texas Medicaid Program, evaluate savings and effectiveness and review initiatives created to deter waste, fraud and abuse, reduce cost and improve the quality of healthcare in the program – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Study the impact of the Section 1115 Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Wavier on improving outcomes, reducing costs, and providing access – Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
  • Review the Health and Human Services Commission’s Medicaid managed care organizations policies and procedures including a review of quality initiatives. Study contract management and assess the Vendor Drug Program drug formularies and current function – House Committee on Human Services

City

  • Study creation of Municipal Management Districts (MMDs) , including review of taxation, etc – House Committee on Special Purpose Districts and Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
  • Review natural disaster preparedness planning and coordination – House Committee on Land and Resource Management & Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations & House Committee on Elections & House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety & House Committee on Transportation & House Committee on Urban Affairs & House Committee on County Affairs & House Committee on Public Health
  • Study current annexation policies in Texas and current regulatory authority available to municipalities in their extraterritorial jurisdiction – House Committee on Land and Resource Management & Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
  • Study body camera policies and best practices to develop guidelines for agency utilizing funding grants – House Select Committee on Emerging Issues in Texas Law Enforcement
  • Study the various sanctuary city policies statewide – Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Military Installations – Subcommittee on Border Security

Transportation

  • Oversize/Overweight vehicle regulations, fines and penalties and reduce impact to state’s roadways and bridges – House Committee on Transportation and Senate Committee on Transportation
  • Study the various methods of funding the state’s transportation network – House Committee on Appropriations
  • Monitor any new and anticipated revenue appropriated to TxDOT – Senate Committee on Transportation
  • Examine the current framework for designating a project as a tolled road – House Committee on Transportation
  • Review the state's statutory and budgetary requirements for design-build contracts, including cost and quantity restrictions, and consider the effect of removing those restrictions – House Committee on Transportation
  • Review the functions of all departments in the Texas Department of Transportation related to alternative modes of transportation and make recommendations to improve their efficiency – House Committee on Transportation
  • Evaluate local transportation funding mechanisms authorized by the state, such as transportation reinvestment zones, to determine their effectiveness – House Committee on Transportation
  • Review State Highway Fund grants and loans to Regional Mobility Authorities (RMA) – Senate Committee on Transportation
  • Study the effect of Proposition 5 (SJR 17 (84R)) on the quality of private roadways in counties with a population of less than 7,500 – House Committee on County Affairs