Hearing locations, dates, and times listed below are subject to change. Please check the HillCo Partners front page to get the most recent postings on Legislative hearings.
The following legislative hearings have been scheduled for this week:
Monday, May 19
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security
May 19 – 9:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E1.012
The committee will take up the following interim charges:
Examine the current regulatory and insurance requirements for the storage of ammonium nitrate, including the role of the State Chemist and the Texas Department of Insurance. Make recommendations on the changes to current law that are needed to eliminate duplication or inconsistencies, improve transparency, and protect Texans' safety without creating an undue burden on Texas businesses.
Examine the role of state and local governments regarding recovery operations across the state in the event of a disaster. Study and make recommendations to identify essential personnel and resources needed to increase existing response capabilities. Make recommendations on how state, local governments, and businesses can work together in order to assist with the rebuilding/recovery of affected jurisdictions in the event of a disaster.
Testimony will be limited to three minutes.
Wednesday, May 21
House Committee on Investments & Financial Services
May 21 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.030
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
Review Texas home equity laws. Study and make recommendations for ensuring Texas consumers have appropriate access to the equity in their homes and adequate protections.
Analyze the costs and benefits of implementing an intrastate equity crowd funding system in Texas. Examine the programs other states have implemented and determine whether an equity crowd funding system is appropriate for Texas, and what statutory changes or regulations are necessary to implement equity crowd funding.
Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: (a) consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; (b) identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; (c) determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and (d) identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Any items not completed will be considered in the public hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 22. If all items are completed on Wednesday, May 21, the public hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 22, will be cancelled.
House Committee on Elections
May 21 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.028
The committee will meet to consider testimony on the following interim charges:
Examine online voter registration systems in other states. Study costs and security concerns, weigh the pros and cons of online voter registration, and make recommendations.
Review the study by the Secretary of State required by HB 3103 (83R) regarding moving the date of the Texas presidential primary election, and make appropriate recommendations.
Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and
d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform; and
House Committee on Technology
May 21 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.010
The committees will meet in a joint hearing to consider the following charges:
Study the current laws, rules, and processes in place for the Department of Information Resources' Cooperative Contracts and recommend improvements to the 84th Legislature.
Examine the public's accessibility to government services and agencies through the use of mobile applications and online services.
House Committee on Natural Resources; and
House Committee on Appropriations – Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII & VIII
May 21 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E1.030
The committees will hold a joint hearing to consider the following interim charge:
Monitor the use of funds provided or made available to Texas in relation to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and make recommendations on the appropriate use of these funds in the future.
The committees will hear invited testimony only.
House Committee on Appropriations – Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII & VIII
May 21 – 1:00 PM
Capitol Extension – Room E1.030
The subcommittee will meet to discuss the following interim charge:
Examine progress made during the 83rd legislative session on reducing the reliance on dedicated accounts for budget certification. Recommend additional methods to further reduce the reliance on dedicated accounts for budget certification purposes, and further examine ways to maximize the use of such accounts.
The subcommittee will hear invited and public testimony.
House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform
May 21 – 1:00 PM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.014
The committee will meet to hear testimony on the following interim charge:
Study the feasibility of having all state agencies use the Texas Workforce Commission's "Work in Texas" website for a more standardized applications process. Determine the interest of municipal, county, and other jurisdictions in boosting their utilization of the website.
House Committee on Technology
May 21 – 1:00 PM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.010
The committee will meet to hear testimony on the following interim charge:
Study the feasibility of an integrated identity management program (IIMP) for state agencies. Examine best practices in the deployment of technology to safeguard state data and programs, limit fraudulent or unauthorized access to state hardware and software, and develop a secure state digital infrastructure. Determine potential savings to the state and make further recommendations on the implementation of IIMP that encompass both logical and physical security.
House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations
May 21 – 1:00 PM
Reagan Building – Room 140
The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations will meet in a public hearing pursuant to Rule 4, Section 10 (1) of the House Rules to consider ongoing business.
The Committee may also meet in executive session in JHR 131 pursuant to Rule 4, Section 12 of the House Rules.
The Committee may also consider and take action regarding planning, scheduling, courses of action, matters deliberated in closed session, items identified to be within the committee's powers, and ongoing committee business.
Thursday, May 22
House Committee on Investments & Financial Systems
May 22 – 9:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.030
If testimony on all posted items is completed during the public hearing on Wednesday, May 21, this hearing (on Thursday, May 22) will be cancelled.
House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations
May 22 – 1:00 PM
Reagan Building – Room 140
The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations will meet in a public hearing pursuant to Rule 4, Section 10 (1) of the House Rules to consider ongoing business.
The Committee may also meet in executive session in JHR 131 pursuant to Rule 4, Section 12 of the House Rules.
The Committee may also consider and take action regarding planning, scheduling, courses of action, matters deliberated in closed session, items identified to be within the committee's powers, and ongoing committee business.