Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced the following Interim Charges to these Senate Committees:
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
- To evaluate the current state of prescription drug abuse and strategies for reducing prescription drug abuse in Texas. He also asked the committee to make recommendations on how these policies can be improved or modified to enhance the State of Texas' handling of services, treatments, and education related to prescription drug abuse and to reduce the overall prevalence of prescription drug abuse.
- To monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
Senate Committee on Transportation
- To evaluate Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDA) and Design/Build project delivery methods and make recommendations for their future role in reducing congestion and continuing the state's economic growth.
- To examine the implementation of SB 1792 (83R), which provides remedies for habitual violators of nonpayment of tolls and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
Senate Committee on Open Government
- To review the Texas Public Information Act to ensure that access to public records and information by the public remains fully transparent, but that governmental entities have the authority to protect the privacy interests of citizens, including primary and higher education students, from improper public disclosure.
- To review and make recommendations on improving the transparency of information available on state websites regarding state expenditures, reports, and contracts, including a comparison of how similar information is provided by other states.
Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
- To monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 393 and Senate Bill 1114 and determine if any statutory changes are necessary to clarify the intent of this legislation. In addition, Dewhurst asked the committee to determine those school districts that have implemented the graduated sanctions envisioned by Senate Bill 393 and decide if any additional statutory changes are necessary to ensure that school districts are complying with its intent.
- To monitor the implementation of statewide electronic filing as mandated by the Texas Supreme Court to determine if any additional training or resources are needed by local jurisdictions. In addition, Dewhurst asked the committee to determine those jurisdictions that have imposed the local transaction fee, as created by House Bill 2302, to determine how it is being utilized and if its continued collection is necessary.