See below for interim legislative hearings coming up in the next few weeks. Hearing dates and times are subject to change. Please note that additional hearings dates may also be added at any time.
See Texas Legislature Online for updates here: House | Senate | Joint
Committee hearing live streams and archives can be found at the following links: House | Senate
House
Criminal Jurisprudence – 7/9/2024 at 11:00 AM, Location: E2.030
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on the implementation of the following bills:
- HB 17, relating to official misconduct by and removal of prosecuting attorneys
- HB 842, Relating to prohibiting the suspension of a person’s driver’s license or extension of the period of a driver’s license suspension for certain driving while license invalid convictions; authorizing a fee.
- HB 1826, Relating to the establishment of an organized retail theft task force.
- HB 2897, Relating to the prosecution of the offense of theft of service.
- HB 3956, Relating to the creation of DNA records for a person arrested for a felony offense and the expunction of DNA records in certain circumstances.
- HB 4906, Relating to the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications by certain peace officers.
Culture, Recreation & Tourism – 7/16/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E2.036
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on the following interim charges:
- Conservation of Texas Farm and Ranch Lands: Evaluate the purpose and effectiveness of the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program.
- Support for Coastal Shrimping and Fishing Industries: Study the impact of excessive imports of shrimp from other countries and related trade practices on local economies, domestic shrimp populations, and public health and safety.
- Monitor the implementation of HB 2719, relating to the powers of the Texas Historical Commission over historic sites in this state
- Monitor the implementation of SB 1648, relating to the centennial parks conservation fund.
General Investigating – 7/17/2024 at 11:00 AM, Location: E2.012
The committee will meet to consider committee business.
Youth Health & Safety, Select – 7/31/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E2.026
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on the following interim charge:
- Behavioral Health Services for At-Risk Youth: Evaluate programs and services currently available to children and families that are either involved with, or at a high risk for becoming involved with, the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
State Affairs – 8/16/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: JHR 140
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on the following interim charge:
- Review TWIA Funding: Review current state policy as it relates to the operation and funding of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), including state agency capacity to effectively oversee TWIA.
State Affairs – 9/17/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: JHR 140
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on the following interim charge:
- Panhandle Wildfires: Evaluate the findings and recommendations of the Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires that are within the committee’s jurisdiction and develop related legislative solutions and other actions for preventing future wildfires and improving wildfire disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation.
- Testimony on this charge will include invited testimony relating to key barriers to broadband deployment in rural areas.
- Economic Challenges Impacting Insurance Premiums: Examine the impact of current economic challenges on the escalating costs of insurance premiums, including factors contributing to the withdrawal of insurance providers from certain markets. Investigate solutions to help Texans more easily and affordably obtain property and casualty insurance coverage. Evaluate long-term strategies for shifting from state-funded insurance programs to sustainable private market alternatives.
Senate
Business & Commerce – 8/27/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The Committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Artificial Intelligence: Examine the development and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI). Evaluate the implications of AI adoption across the public and private sectors. Make recommendations for a responsible regulatory framework for AI development, including data privacy, industry standards, consumer protections, risk mitigation, and compliance processes. Propose any necessary changes to state law to protect the Texas radio, television, music, and film industries against unauthorized use by AI. Monitor the findings of the Texas Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.
- Texas Energy Fund: Review and report on the impact of Senate Bill 2627, the Powering Texas Forward Act, as passed by the 88th Legislature, which established the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) to provide grants and loans to finance the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric facilities in Texas.
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs – 9/3/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012 (Hearing Room)
The Committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge and monitor the implementation of the following bills:
- Water System Reliability: Evaluate water systems in Texas and identify opportunities to better equip those systems to serve the public.
- SB 28, relating to financial assistance provided and programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board
- SB 1289, relating to the disposal of reclaimed wastewater
- SB 1414, relating to the temporary regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- SB 1648, relating to the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund
Finance – 9/4/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.036
The Committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Continue Cutting Property Taxes:Â Identify the best combination to further increase the amount of homestead exemption and compression to continue cutting Texans’ property taxes.
- Additionally, establish and report on the cost of eliminating:
- All school property taxes; and
- All property taxes.
- School maintenance and operation property taxes;
- Determine the fiscal consequences of each action, including whether revenue reallocations would be required for public education funding and local government funding, and impacts on the state’s ability to respond to disasters and other urgent priorities. For example, determine the effect on other state programs if general revenue were used to fully replace school property taxes, particularly during economic downturns. Evaluate and report on how much state revenue would need to be generated to replace foregone property tax revenue, and from what source.
- Monitor Senate Bill 2 and House Joint Resolution 2, 88th Legislature, Second Called Special Session.
Finance – 9/5/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.036 (Finance Room)
The Committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities: Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 30, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, with regard to appropriations made for expanding mental health services and inpatient facilities across the state.
- Monitor the Texas Energy Fund, SB 2627; Texas Water Fund, SB 28; Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, SB 1648; and the Broadband Infrastructure Fund, HB 9
Natural Resources & Economic Development – 9/17/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012 (Hearing Room)
The Committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Cement Production Plants: Examine the impacts of permanent cement production plants on local communities. Make recommendations to ensure they are strategically situated and uphold community standards while also fostering economic development.
- Enhancing Workforce Productivity: Study ways to increase the state’s workforce productivity, including access to childcare. Make recommendations, within existing resources, to maintain childcare availability to support a growing workforce.