Below is a spotlight on legislative interim hearings posted to date for the month of May. For up-to-date hearing postings, visit the HillCo Legislative News page.
May 2
House Appropriations – S/C on Articles VI, VII & VIII – 5/2/2016
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E1.030
Review historic funding levels and methods of financing for the state parks system
House Environmental Regulation – 5/2/2016
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E1.026
Review the compliance practices of surface water management entities with state rules regarding the aesthetic condition of waterways and the prevention or removal of human-made floating trash and debris & Monitor initiatives at the local level to regulate environmental issues.
May 3
JOINT House Economic & Small Business Development – 5/3/2016 & Public Education – 5/3/2016
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E1.030
Examine partnerships between higher education institutions, public school districts, and workforce that promote postsecondary readiness
May 4
Senate Business & Commerce – 5/4/2016
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.016
Study the impact of the penalty calculations under the current prompt payment of health care claim laws and regulations & monitor the Implementation of legislation intended to further protect consumers from the balance billing process.
Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations-S/C Border Security – 5/4/2016
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.028
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of a potential interstate compact on border security.
Senate Texas Ports, Select – 5/4/2016
Time: 11:30 AM, Location: E1.012
Testimony will be heard on the economic impact that inland waterways, coastal ports and inland ports have on the state economy, and the future impact that the Panama Canal expansion will have on Texas ports.
May 5
House Appropriations – S/C on Article III – 5/5/2016
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: Houston, TX
Examine the formulas used to fund institutions of higher education.
May 10
Senate Property Tax Reform & Relief, Select – 5/10/2016
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: University of Houston
Study the property tax process, including the appraisal system, and recommend ways to promote transparency, simplicity, and accountability by all taxing entities & examine and develop options to further reduce the tax burden on property owners.
House Higher Education – 5/10/2016
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E2.014
Study the affordability and accessibility of undergraduate college education in Texas.
May 11
House Public Education – 5/11/2016
Time: 9:30 AM, Location: E2.036
Review current policies and rules to protect students from inappropriate teacher-student relationships & examine the accessibility to broadband services for schools, libraries, and institutions of higher education.
House General Investigating & Ethics – 5/11/2016
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E2.010
Study the contracting practices at major state agencies to determine if additional reforms are needed to maintain public confidence and trust in the expenditure of state funds.
May 16
Criminal Jurisprudence – 5/16/2016
Time: 11:00 AM, Location: E2.030
Examine the use of asset forfeiture in this state, including data reporting on forfeiture actions and procedures from seizure through forfeiture in both contested and uncontested cases.
May 17
Senate Finance – 5/17/2016
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E1.036
Examine options and make recommendations for strengthening restriction on appropriations established in Article VIII Section 22 of the state constitution, including related procedures defined in statute. Consider options for ensuring available revenues above spending limit are reserved for tax relief.
Senate Health & Human Services – 5/17/2016
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E1.012
The committee will meet to receive testimony from state health officials and medical experts regarding the Zika virus.
Senate Criminal Justice – 5/17/2016
Time: 1:30 PM, Location: E1.016
Review current programs provided by TDCJ and Windham School, examine success of current pretrial diversion and treatment programs, study how bulk criminal records are disseminated, review costs family members incur to maintain contact with an incarcerated family member.
Joint House Corrections – 5/17/2016 & Criminal Jurisprudence – 5/17/2016
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: JHR 140
Examine fees and revocations for those on probation and parole; study technical revocations in adult probation.
May 19
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence – 5/19/2016
Time: 10:30 AM, Location: E2.010
Study the recently enacted Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, issues related to jury service in Texas, and rights, duties, remedies, and procedures available to consumers under Subchapter M, Chapter 2301, Texas Occupations Code (the Texas "Lemon Law").
May 23
Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs – 5/23/2016
Time: 11:00 AM, Location: E1.012
Study and make recommendations regarding the ownership, production, and transfer of surface water and groundwater in the state of Texas.
May 24
Joint House Government Transparency & Operation – 5/24/2016 & Select Committee on Emerging Issues in Texas Law Enforcement
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E1.030
Study the impact of emerging technologies used by law enforcement and issues related to appropriate dissemination of the data provided by those technologies.
May 25
Joint House Government Transparency & Operation – 5/25/2016 & Homeland Security & Public Safety – 5/25/2016
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E1.030
Review the process of dissemination by public entities of criminal records containing incomplete or inaccurate information.
House Government Transparency & Operation – 5/25/2016
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E2.010
Study issues related to access to public information held outside of the custody or control of the governmental body by current or former officers or employees.
House Homeland Security & Public Safety – 5/25/2016
Time: 1:00 PM, Location: E2.014
Review the current penalties for operating a commercial motor vehicle that is in violation of state or federal safety standards.