Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced appointments to the Access to Justice Commission, the Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee, the Energy Council, the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program Advisory Board, the Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities, the Office of Small Business Assistance Advisory Task Force, and the Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board. Lt. Gov. Patrick also announced chair designations for the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee and the Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities.
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, (appointed) – Access to Justice Commission:
The Access to Justice Commission develops and implements policy initiatives to expand access to justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans.
Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, (reappointed) – Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision:
The Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision advises the state administrator of the interstate compact for adult offender supervision and the commissioner to the interstate commission on the state’s participation in commission activities and the administration of the compact.
Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, (appointed) and Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston (designated Chair) – Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee:
The Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee provides objective research, analysis, and recommendations to help guide state criminal justice policies.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, (appointed) – Energy Council: The Energy Council facilitates cooperation in national energy policy matters among the energy-producing states of the southern and western United States, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, plus the province of Alberta, Canada.
Mario Lozoya of San Antonio, (reappointed) – Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program Advisory Board (JET): JET assists the Texas Workforce Commission in administering the JET grant program to provide grants to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and certain independent school districts.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, (appointed) and Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Arlington, (designated Chair) – Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities:
The Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities reviews deferred maintenance plans for state facilities and receives implementation updates.
Jimmy Garza of Pharr and Cristina Heaney of San Antonio (both reappointed) – Office of Small Business Assistance Advisory Task Force:
The Office of Small Business Assistance Advisory Task Force advises and assists the Office of Small Business Assistance with its duties related to small businesses. The task force advises and assists the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker with issues related to small businesses and serves as a liaison to the public.
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, (appointed) – Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board:
The Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board reviews rules proposed by the Texas Department of Insurance relating to windstorm insurance and submits comments to the insurance commissioner. The board also monitors windstorm insurance, including rates, the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, and availability of coverage.