Today, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the appointments of Senate members to the Senate Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting and Assessment; Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs; Committee to Study Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Health Benefit Plans; and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Additionally, two Texans were appointed to the Commission to Study and Review Certain Penal Laws.
Senate Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting, and Assessment
Studies potential ways to ensure the state is able to identify, track, and maintain information on the location, condition, and replacement value of all real property owned by the state. The committee will submit their report to the legislature by January 13, 2017.
Sen. Brian Birdwell (Chair)
Sen. Kevin Eltife
Sen. Jose Menendez
Sen. Larry Taylor
Sen. Kirk Watson
Commission to Study and Review Certain Penal Laws
Studies and reviews certain penal laws of this state and will make recommendations to the legislature regarding the repeal of laws identified as unnecessary, unclear, duplicative, overly broad, or insufficient to serve their intended purpose of the law. The commission will submit their report to the legislature by November 1, 2016.
Leticia “Letty” Martinez – Attorney and Partner at Varghese Summersett, P.L.L.C.
Jarvis Parsons – District Attorney, Brazos County
Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs
Studies and makes recommendations relating to the effect of changing demographics of this state on the economy, workplace, educational attainment, health, veterans affairs, and political leadership. The council reports to the legislature by October 1 of each even-numbered year.
Sen. Eduardo A. “Eddie” Lucio, Jr.
Committee to Study TRS Health Benefit Plans
Reviews the health benefit plans administered by the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas and proposes reforms to address the financial soundness of the plans, cost and affordability of plan coverage, and sufficiency of access to physicians and health care providers. The committee will submit their report to the legislature by January 15, 2017.
Sen. Joan Huffman (Co-Chair)
Sen. Jane Nelson
Sen. Craig Estes
Texas Indigent Defense Commission
Directs and supervises the Texas Indigent Defense Commission in developing a plan to establish statewide requirements for counties to report indigent defense information and in monitoring the effectiveness and compliance with state law.
Sen. Brandon Creighton
Sen. John Whitmire