HillCo Partners has provided several spotlight reports below covering committee hearings from March 21 until April 1 broken down by topics.
Economics
On March 21, the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform & Relief met in Lubbock to hear testimony regarding reducing the tax burden on property owners and general information on the property tax system.
On March 30, the Senate Finance Committee met to study the potential for continuing to phase out the franchise tax as well as the state’s current sales tax holiday structure. They also discussed budget transparency and state debt.
On April 1, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development met to discuss economic development programs in Texas, evaluate the expedited permitting process and discuss Texas aerospace incentives. Discussion also included reports on programs from the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). TWC also presented on the Tri-agency initiative.
On March 30, the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce met to discuss cyber-security efforts, the state's participation in E-verify and how to best protect Texans' financial and personal information including an update from ERCOT and PUC.
Education
On March 21, the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform & Relief met in Lubbock to hear testimony regarding reducing the tax burden on property owners and general information on the property tax system.
On March 24 the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III and the House Committee on Higher Education met jointly to review current funding formulas for community colleges.
On March 29, the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Higher Education held a joint hearing to consider the implementation of HB 5 (83R) in preparing students for postsecondary education and workforce training, implementation of the 60x30TX plan, and to study teacher shortage and retention issues.
On March 22, the House Select Committee on Mental Health hear invited testimony related to children’s mental health/behavioral health, including, but not limited to clinical medicine, treatment, public education, and juvenile justice.
Pension Systems
On March 30, the House Committee on Pensions met to hear from pension systems under its purview regarding current issues and concerns facing their pension system.
On March 30, the Joint Interim Committee to Study TRS Health Benefit Plans met to study and review health benefit plans administered by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, particularly TRS-Care.
On March 30, the House Committee on Insurance met to review the implementation on HB 2929 (83rd) and evaluate the statutory penalty calculation under Texas’ prompt payment laws regarding health care claims.
Health Care
On March 22, the House Select Committee on Mental Health hear invited testimony related to children’s mental health/behavioral health, including, but not limited to clinical medicine, treatment, public education, and juvenile justice.
On March 22, the House Committee on Business & Industry met to study the workers’ compensation system, particularly the designated doctor process, lifetime income benefits and death benefits, and issues surrounding compound pharmaceuticals.
On March 29, the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety met to consider issues related to emergency preparedness, the trauma system and Driver Responsibility Program, the new one-sticker inspections and registration process for motor vehicles, and the Compassionate Use Act.
On March 30, the House Committee on Insurance met to review the implementation on HB 2929 (83rd) and evaluate the statutory penalty calculation under Texas’ prompt payment laws regarding health care claims.
On March 31, the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee met to hear testimony regarding the HHSC Transition Plan, the vocational and rehabilitation services transfer, and child abuse prevention services consolidation.
Transportation
On March 29, the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety met to consider issues related to emergency preparedness, the trauma system and Driver Responsibility Program, the new one-sticker inspections and registration process for motor vehicles, and the Compassionate Use Act.
On March 29, the Senate Committee on Transportation met to discuss State Highway Fund grants and loans made to Regional Mobility Authorities and issues related to oversize and overweight vehicles.
On March 29, the Senate Select Committee on Transportation Planning held a hearing to discuss and examine issues related to transportation planning, financing and performance.
On March 30, the House Committee on Transportation held a hearing to review debt service on bonds issued for toll projects, the potential for accelerating bond payments and to determine a proposed plan for eliminating certain toll roads.
On March 30, the House Select Committee on Transportation Planning held a meeting to receive an update from TxDOT from TxDOT on the status of HB 20 implementation and the agency also spoke on zero-based budgeting.
Environment
On March 29, the House Select Committee on Federal Environmental Regulation met for the first time hearing invited testimony from TCEQ, PUC, and ERCOT over several recent EPA regulation and their impact on the economy and environment of Texas.
On April 1, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development met to discuss economic development programs in Texas, evaluate the expedited permitting process and discuss Texas aerospace incentives. Discussion also included reports on programs from the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). TWC also presented on the Tri-agency initiative.
On March 29, the Senate Committee on Transportation met to discuss State Highway Fund grants and loans made to Regional Mobility Authorities and issues related to oversize and overweight vehicles.
On March 30, the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce met to discuss cyber-security efforts, the state's participation in E-verify and how to best protect Texans' financial and personal information including an update from ERCOT and PUC.