The following legislative hearings have been scheduled for this week:
Monday, May 12
House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations
May 12 – 10:30 AM
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, and ongoing committee business.
House Committee on Energy Resources – Subcommittee on Seismic Activity
May 12 – 1:00 PM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.036
The House Energy Resources Subcommittee on Seismic Activity will hold a hearing to the consider the following charge:
Study the current conditions surrounding the increased seismic activity in the Barnett Shale and other areas of the State. Specifically, review the possibility that increased exploration and disposal well activity could impact seismic activity. The committee shall review active oil and gas activity and injection wells in areas experiencing increased seismic activity.
The subcommittee will hear invited testimony only.
Tuesday, May 13
House Committee on Appropriations – Subcommittee on Article III
May 13 – 9:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E1.030
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III will convene a public hearing to consider the following interim charge topics:
Review the current higher education funding formulas. The Subcommittee will consider whether items funded outside base formulas should be included inside the formulas.(Interim Charge 10).
Review existing research funds; evaluate the purpose for their creation and the progress made toward the goal of each fund; and determine to what extent eligibility overlap exists among the funds.(Interim Charge 11)
The Subcommittee will hear invited and public testimony. Public Testimony will be limited to 5 minutes per witness
House Committee on Environmental Regulation
May 13 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.014
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on Interim Charge #1:
Study the environmental permitting processes at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), specifically the contested-case hearing process at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and the timelines associated with the process. Study the economic impact that the state's permitting processes have on Texas manufacturing sectors and how neighboring states' and the federal permitting processes and timelines compare to those in Texas.
If you wish to be invited to testify, please contact the Committee at (512) 463-0776.
House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations
May 13 – 10:30 AM
Reagan Building – Room 140
The committee will meet to take up unfinished business from their May 12 meeting.
Wednesday, May 14
House Committee on County Affairs; and
House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs
May 14 – 10:00 AM
Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio Ballroom, 111 East Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205
The committees will meet jointly to consider the following interim charge:
Study the implementation of SB 462 (83R). Examine which counties currently have veterans’ courts, as well as veterans courts in other states, and determine how those programs are working and whether these courts provide additional services or resources for veterans. Make appropriate recommendations.
House Committee on Defense and Veterans’ Affairs
May 14 – Upon adjournment of previous hearing
Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio Ballroom, 111 East Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205
Upon adjournment of the joint hearing, the committee will consider the following charge:
Monitor the implementation of HB 2392 (83R), Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly the interface with local mental health authorities and veterans' groups, with a focus on issues related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
House Committee on Public Education
May 14 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.036
The committee will meet to consider the following interim charge:
Explore innovative, research-based options for improving student achievement beyond standardized test scores. Evaluate standards for effective campus management as well as teacher preparation, certification, and training. Review current teacher evaluation tools and instructional methods, such as project-based learning, and recommend any improvements that would promote improved student achievement. Engage stakeholders on how to recruit and retain more of our "best and brightest" into the teaching profession.
Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes.
Thursday, May 15
House Committee on County Affairs
May 15 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.016
The Committee will meet to hear testimony on the following charge:
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.
The committee will also consider the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program 1115 Waiver.
Joint Legislative Committee on Human Trafficking
May 15 – 12:00 PM
Capitol Extension – Room E1.030
The Committee will consider the following:
Testimony regarding the implementation of anti-human trafficking legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature;
Agency updates on anti-human trafficking efforts; and
Updates from the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force.
Invited Testimony Only.
Friday, May 16
Joint Legislative Committee on Aging
May 16 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Building – Room 2E.20
The Legislative Committee on Aging will have its organizational meeting on Friday, May 16, at 10:00a.m. in the Betty King Committee Room
(2E.20) of the State Capitol. The Committee will consider organizational business and hear invited testimony on updates on initiatives to address various needs among Texas' aging population.
Invited Testimony Only.
House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
May 16 – 10:00 AM
Capitol Extension – Room E2.010
The committee will hear testimony from the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
The committee will also hear testimony on the following interim charge:
Examine the public policy implications of litigation related to environmental contamination brought by local governments, in particular whether such litigation supports effective remediation.
If you would like to testify, please contact the clerk at (512)463-0790.
House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
May 16 – 1:30 PM
Zapata Technical & Advanced Education Center, Room 128 (large room), 605 N. US Hwy 83, Zapata, TX 78076
The committee will meet to receive testimony on habitat and resource issues relating to alligator gar and largemouth bass populations in Falcon Lake.
The committee will hear invited and public testimony.
Hearing locations, dates, and times are subject to change. Please check the HillCo Partners front page to get the most recent postings on Legislative hearings.