Last month, the House Speaker and the Lt. Governor released the remainder of their interim charges. The House released a total of over 230 interim charges and the Senate released a total of 106 interim charges (1stand 2nd) when you include the previously announced Harvey charges. Interim charges are a way of highlighting issues that lawmakers will study and discuss leading up to the next legislative session, which will begin in January 2019. Hearings taking up these charges have started and are listed below.
For the latest updates on all legislative committee hearings, visit "Legislative News from Texas" frequently to confirm hearings since dates and times can and do change. Standing committee hearings held at the Capitol, live and archived, can be listened to at the following links: House | Senate.
Senate Committee Meetings
Education – 11/6/2017
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: 4450 University Drive, Houston, Texas, 77204
The Senate Committee will meet at the University of Houston Hilton to consider the following interim charges: 1) Assess and make recommendations for state and local K-12 hurricane recovery efforts. Examine the crisis management response of the Texas Education Agency and identify changes to the Education Code that would expedite the state response to school districts and public charter schools in the aftermath of any disaster. 2) Determine the impact on school finance of possible state actions such as but not limited to, changes to student enrollment calculations or property valuation. Assess student displacement caused by Hurricane Harvey and consider actions the Commissioner of Education may take to adjust attendance levels or calculations in the wake of a disaster. Make recommendations for
legislative action including potential changes to the process and timelines of payments to districts by private insurers, FEMA and the state.
Health & Human Services – 11/8/2017
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: Senate Chamber
The committee will meet to discuss the following interim charges: 1) Review the state's response to Hurricane Harvey with a focus on public health efforts at the local and state level. The review should include an analysis of the state and local response related to vector control, immunization needs, utilization of health-related volunteers, adequacy of an emergency medical network, evacuation of vulnerable populations from state operated or regulated facilities, and coordination between all levels of government. Recommend any legislative changes necessary to improve public health response and coordination during and after a disaster. 2) Evaluate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the capacity of out-of-home placements and care for youth involved with the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Determine how the state can ensure support is available to provide appropriate care as close to home as possible as facilities and offices are rebuilt. 3) Evaluate the efficiency of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Disaster-SNAP programs following Hurricane Harvey in impacted areas.
Transportation – 11/15/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: E1.016 (Hearing Room)
The Committee will hear invited testimony only on the following interim charges: TxDOT analysis on the effect of funding allocations made in the Unified Transportation Program (UTP) and project selection decisions on accomplishing goals described in the statewide transportation plan. Study the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the state’s transportation infrastructure and make recommendations on how best to rebuild assets efficiently and effectively.
House Committee Meetings
Appropriations – 11/8/2017
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: 3209 S. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78411
The Appropriations Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery will meet at the Center for Economic Development on the campus of Del Mar College to consider the following interim charge: Examine the use of federal funds by state agencies responding to the effects of Hurricane Harvey and identify opportunities to maximize the use of federal funds to reduce the impact of future natural disasters. Also identify the need for state resources to respond to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts, as well as opportunities for state investment in infrastructure projects that will reduce the impact of future natural disasters. For live broadcasting, please copy and paste the following link into your web browser: delmar.edu/webcasts/ The committee will hear invited testimony only.
Economic Competitiveness, Select – 11/15/2017
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: JHR 140
Through invited testimony, the committee will meet to develop and present concrete principles on long-term competitiveness and economic development issues. The purpose of the hearing is to show businesses seeking to come to Texas, or that are already located in Texas, the principles that the Texas House believes should guide the state's pursuit of long-term economic
growth.