Over the last several weeks HillCo Partners has monitored and reported on several state agency meetings and legislative committee hearings. These HillCo client reports can be found below sorted by category of interest. HillCo clients with an active website account can view the reports by simply clicking on the links below and entering their credentials, if you are a client but have not yet set up an account, you can do so by visiting: https://www.hillcopartners.com/user/register
ENVIRONMENT
The House Energy Resources Subcommittee on Seismic Activity met on August 25 to hear testimony from the Texas Railroad Commission and others regarding seismic activity induced by hydraulic fracturing.
The House Energy Resources Committee met on August 26 to consider interim charges related to oil and gas exploration, Railroad Commission permitting and IT, security interests of oil and gas producers, and the implementation of HB 2982 (83R).
The House State Affairs Committee met on September 4 to discuss electric generation and capacity, state driving permits, and the Employee Retirement System (ERS) contract with United Healthcare.
TRANSPORTATION
The House Transportation Committee met on August 26 to consider issues and interim charges related to oversize/overweight vehicle permitting and enforcement, implementation of recent legislation pertaining to a single combined vehicle inspection and registration sticker, Energy Sector roads, the "Turn-Back Program", tax increment financing, and transportation reinvestment zones.
The House Government Efficiency & Reform Committee met on August 27 to consider interim charges related to innovative delivery systems for infrastructure projects, the Public Information Act, and the use of Chief Innovation Officers.
The Texas Transportation Commission met on August 28 to consider their agenda and to discuss Proposition 1 funds, the Unified Transportation Program, the TxDOT legislative appropriation request, and toll operations.
The House Transportation Funding, Expenditures & Finance Select Committee met on September 4 to hear testimony regarding potential revenue sources, identified savings and efficiencies, surplus property report, debt reduction possibilities, and other issues related to transportation infrastructure funding.
ECONOMY
The House Economic Development Incentives Select Committee met on August 27 to hear testimony from various state incentive programs, including the moving image industry, special events funds and local programs. The Committee also discussed the coordination between state and local economic development entities.
The Pension Review Board met on August 28 to act on their agenda and review the preliminary report on the study of the financial health of public retirement systems.
The House Appropriations Committee met on September 4 to discuss the Strategic Fiscal Review initiative given to the committee by the speaker of the house.
HEALTH CARE
The Healthcare Associated Infections & Preventable Adverse Events Advisory Panel met on August 29 to act on their agenda and receive updates on current issues related to the group.
The Health and Human Services Commission met on September 2 to hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to rules concerning prohibition on Children’s Health Insurance Program balance billing.
The House Human Services Committee met on September 3 to conduct legislative oversight of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction particularly HHSC, OIG, DFPS, DADS and DARS
The Independent Review Organization Advisory Group met on September 9 to discuss implementation of HB 2645 (83R).
INSURANCE
The Senate Business & Commerce Committee met on September 9 to hear testimony on interim charges related to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and the Texas FAIR Plan.
The House Insurance Committee and Land & Resource Management Committee met on September 9 in a joint hearing to examine opportunities to improve the resiliency of the Texas coast to withstand tropical storms; study strategies to incentivize and encourage hazard mitigation, and consider the current state of building codes and how they might more effectively protect property and reduce losses; and examine the proper role of insurance in protecting the Texas coast.