The Senate Committee on Business & Commerce met on July 18 to discuss SB 20 relating to extending certain state agencies and SB 60 relating to agency funding contingencies. The report below details discussions on these bills
 

  • SB 20 (V Taylor) Relating to the continuation and sunset review of certain governmental entities subject to abolishment on September 1, 2017.
  • Sunset amendments were laid out in committee in preparation fro floor discussion
    • V Taylor FA 1 – Conforms caption with House version, strikes limited review mandate; allowing Sunset Commission to make decision for limited review
    • Nichols FA 2 – Moves TDA from 87th review cycle to 86th review cycle
  • L Taylor – So the Commission has already gone through these agencies
  • L Taylor – Would prefer to have a real bill rather than kick the review to 2019, wasting Sunset staff and time
    • Estes – If you have a different idea for a Sunset bill, you can file
  • L Taylor – Process normally headed by the Sunset Commission
  • Zaffirini – All we’re doing is continuing it?
    • V Taylor – Yes
  • Zaffirini – And rider funding is addressed separately?
    • V Taylor – That is in SB 60
  • Whitmire – So we won’t see more complete Sunset legislation from the House?
    • V Taylor – Not sure what they will do
  • Schwertner – Significant provisions did pass in the regular Session, would like to see the complete set of Sunset provisions, but this is what the Governor put on the call
  • L Taylor – Would it not be beneficial to put up unresolved issues on the Sunset schedule?
    • Schwertner – Those were largely statutory which would not be up for review until the next Sunset period
    • V Taylor – Governor’s call was very specific, could file other after call opens
    • L Taylor – Would be a continuation still, just for longer than 2 years
  • V Taylor – Would be open to extending for 12 years with passage of Allied Medical Board bill or TMB bill
  • L Taylor – Does not want to stress Sunset staff, puts this back on review in an already full review period
  • Voted out (9-0)

 
SB 60 (V Taylor) Relating to the repeal of certain riders for the Texas Medical Board and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists from the General Appropriations Act continuing those agencies during the 85th Regular Session.

  • Medical Board and Psychology Board funding was contingent on passage during 85th, fixes wording to allow agencies to receive funding during 2018-2019 biennium
  • Voted out (9-0)

 
Ken Levine, Sunset Commission

  • Schwertner – Can you clarify what parts of the TMB Sunset were left not passed
    • Levine – Most provision passed in other bills, would need to get back specifics
  • Schwertner – Would appreciate this info