See below for the upcoming interim legislative hearings. Hearing dates and times are subject to change. Please note that additional hearings dates may also be added at any time.

The standing committee hearings can be found at the following links: House | Senate

House

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services – 8/16/22 at 11:00 AM

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

  • Monitor the implementation of the following:
    •   HB 3898, relating to the funding of public retirement systems.
  • Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System (ERS) pension fund.
  • Evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOS) and Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan 2 (JRS 2). Identify strategies to reduce and eliminate existing unfunded liabilities and recommend structural enhancements that improve the financial health and viability of the funds moving forward.
  • Review the Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act (TLFFRA) to ensure proper governance and financial oversight. Examine whether the Pension Review Board has proper oversight and authority to implement necessary corrective measures.

House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence – 8/23/22 at 9:00 AM

The committee will hear invited testimony on the following interim charges:

  • Study potential solutions to improve the judicial efficiency of the state courts of appeals by analyzing caseloads and making appropriate recommendations.
  • Study the operations of specialty courts. Determine whether additional specialty courts should be considered to address needs within specific populations. Review specialty court methods and best practices that have been implemented for specialty courts in other states, including their impact on judicial efficiency.

House Natural Resources – 8/23/22 at 10:00 AM

The committee will meet to consider the following items:

  • Monitor the implementation of SB 1160, relating to the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District, and explore ways in which the state can further support the construction of a coastal barrier system.
  • Review the adequacy and efficiency of current mechanisms used to compensate water right holders when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality temporarily transfers a water right under an emergency authorization. Make appropriate recommendations for the protection of private property rights of water right holders.
  • Monitor newly adopted and proposed federal regulations that could impact activities that fall within the jurisdiction of the committee, including regulations under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of waters of the United States.

House Criminal Justice Reform – 8/24/22 at 9:00 AM

The committee will hear invited testimony on the following interim charges:

  • Examine the appropriate age range for the juvenile justice system and parole eligibility, in addition to procedures for juveniles certified as adults.
  • Examine opportunities to reduce recidivism and remove barriers to re-entry after justice involvement.

House Natural Resources – 8/24/22 at 10:00 AM

The committee will meet to consider the following items:

  • Examine the condition of Texas’ water and flood mitigation infrastructure capabilities and consider future infrastructure needs. Evaluate sustainable funding sources to provide for water project development and infrastructure repair and replacement. Examine and make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that enhance the state’s available water supply.
    • Committee note: the desalination portion of this charge will be held at a later date
  • Examine the state’s groundwater management policy and regulatory framework. Include a review of large-scale water transfers and their impact on groundwater resources. Make appropriate recommendations for legislation or state agency action to:
    • promote the achievement of planning goals under Chapter 36, Water Code, including those involving desired future conditions
    • provide adequate transparency to the permit application process
    • further the state’s groundwater quality protection efforts, including an assessment of risks posed to groundwater by abandoned and deteriorated water wells and orphan oil and gas wells
    • promote conservation and waste prevention.

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services – 8/25/22 at 11:00 AM

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following:

  • Monitor the implementation of the following:
    •  HB 1258, relating to data matching with financial institutions to facilitate the collection of certain delinquent taxes
    • HJR 99, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county; authorizing the issuance of bonds and notes
  • Review the impact of investments by public retirement systems of their endowment and other trust funds in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance.
  • Review state and federal regulations surrounding blockchain, including virtual currencies. Examine how these technologies impact industries in the state, and possible consumer protections.
  • Review the state’s investment in the Texas Bullion Depository. Evaluate available information on the status, condition, operations, participation, and prospects to assess the value of the state having its own precious metals depository.

House Transportation – 9/8/22 at 1:00 PM

The committee will hear invited testimony on the following interim charges and topics:

  • Discuss tools available to reduce the unprecedented increase in fatalities on Texas roads.
  • Study policies impacting truck transportation, a key link in the supply-chain, including utilizing state property and right-of-way for natural gas fueling stations and truck parking, the potential shortage of drivers and sellers of commercial trucks, the shortage of truck parking options to accommodate hours of service regulations, and ways to reduce border crossing wait times. Examine regulatory and statutory impediments to connected vehicle and autonomous technologies aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of trucking in Texas.
  • Examine the ability of the state’s seaports to promote the public purposes of state economic growth, diversification, and commerce through development of port-owned properties within their boundaries. Review the investments needed for Texas ports to remain competitive in handling increased cargo volumes and ensuring a resilient supply chain.

House Public Health – 9/13/22 at 11:00 AM

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

  • Monitor the implementation of the following:
    • HB 4 relating to the provision and delivery of telemedicine and telehealth services
    • HB 1616 relating to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
  • Study the impact of fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths in Texas. Evaluate existing data collection, dissemination, and mitigation strategies regarding opioid abuse in Texas. Make recommendations to improve coordinated prevention, education, treatment, and data-sharing.
  • Study current telemedicine trends by assessing and making recommendations related to standardizing required documentation healthcare providers must obtain for consent for treatment, data collection, sharing and retention schedules, and providing telemedicine medical services to certain cancer patients receiving pain management services and supportive palliative care.

House Public Health – 9/14/22 at 10:00 AM

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

  • Examine existing resources and available opportunities to strengthen the state’s nursing and other health professional workforce, including rural physicians and nurses.
  • Assess ongoing challenges in the rural health care system and the impact of legislation and funding from the 87th regular and special sessions on strengthening rural health care and the sustainability of rural hospitals and health care providers. Evaluate federal regulations authorizing the creation of a Rural Emergency Hospital provider type and determine if promoting this type of facility could increase local access to care in rural areas of the state.

House Licensing & Administrative Procedures – 9/14/22 at 10:30 AM

The committee will hear invited testimony on the following items:

  • Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of the following:
    • Oversight: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
    • Examine the impact of the dicamba herbicide on the implementation of HB 1957, relating to the labeling of wine as originating from an area of this state or with the name of a vineyard in this state.

Joint Hearing Between House Public Health and House Higher Education – 9/20/22 at 10:00

The committees will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:

  • Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state.

Senate

Senate Health & Human Services – 8/23/22 at 10:00 AM

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:

  • Health Care Workforce: Study the impact of the global pandemic on the health care workforce in acute and long-term care. Identify health care staffing challenges and examine how staffing services and payment models changed the economics of the health care workforce. Identify and recommend ways to increase the health care workforce pipeline.

Agency Meeting Spotlight

ERCOT Board of Directors Meeting – 8/16/22 at 9:00 AM

Texas Water Development Board – 8/18/22 at 9:30 AM

Tax Relief for Pollution Control Property Advisory Committee – 8/19/22 at 10:00 AM

Public Utility Commission – 8/25/22 at 9:30 AM

Railroad Commission – 8/30/22 at 9:30 AM