See below for 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.
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
No upcoming hearings have been scheduled at this time.
Senate
Subcommittee on Higher Education – 5/14/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.016
The subcommittee will consider the following interim charges:
- Monitor the Ban on Discriminatory DEI Policies: Examine the implementation of Senate Bill 17, 88th Legislature, which bans discriminatory “DEI” initiatives at institutions of public higher education. Review and report on the progress each institution has made in aligning university policies and procedures with the provisions of Senate Bill 17, ensuring Texas college campuses foster equal opportunity and reward individual merit and achievement.
- Combating Antisemitism on Texas College Campuses: Review campus policies to prevent antisemitism. Study the oversight Texas institutions of higher education have over the formation and operations of student organizations, including access to campus facilities and use of campus property. Make recommendations to prevent antisemitism on college campuses, while protecting First Amendment rights.
- Campus Free Speech: Examine the procedures of Texas public institutions of higher education designed to protect the First Amendment free speech rights of faculty, staff, and students. Monitor and report on compliance Senate Bill 18, 86th Legislature, and make recommendations for any needed reforms.
Health & Human Services – 5/14/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Cancer Prevention: Identify and recommend ways to address the growing impact of cancer on Texans by evaluating state investments in cancer prevention and screenings including, but not limited to, “CT,” “MRI, and “PET” scans. Study and make recommendations on funding adequacy for prevention efforts at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
- Health Insurance: Examine the Texas health insurance market and alternatives to employer-based insurance. Identify barriers Texans face when navigating a complex health insurance market. Make recommendations that help individuals obtain health care coverage.
- Monitor Senate Bill 25, relating to support for nursing-related postsecondary education, including scholarships to nursing students, loan repayment assistance to nurses and nursing faculty, and grants to nursing education programs.
Veteran Affairs – 5/15/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: 2E.20
The Committee will hear invited testimony on the following interim charges:
- Veteran Mental Health: Review current programs that provide direct and indirect mental health services to veterans in Texas. Identify barriers to accessing mental health resources for rural veterans. Make recommendations to improve access to mental health support for all veterans.
- Support Service Database for Texas Veterans: Review and report on the progress toward the creation of a single database to facilitate the seamless provision of veteran benefits by state agencies. Make recommendations to improve coordination among state, federal, and local agencies and others that provide benefits to veterans.
- Strengthen Support for Veteran Housing: Study the accessibility and affordability of veteran housing. Identify factors that contribute to veteran homelessness. Determine whether the Veterans Land Board has the tools necessary to maximize their assistance to eligible borrowers in home lending. Make recommendations to update state standards related to veteran home loans and housing.
Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs – 5/15/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:
- Water System Reliability: Evaluate water systems in Texas and identify opportunities to better equip those systems to serve the public. Review the coordination of relevant state agencies dealing with Texas water issues and identify opportunities for improved coordination and effectiveness.
Local Government – 5/15/2024 at 1:00 PM, Location: E1.004
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:
- Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: Review current laws relating to “squatters” or those claiming adverse possession of property. Make recommendations to streamline the process for the immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights of property owners.
Criminal Justice – 6/5/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will meet to discuss the following interim charges:
- Bail Reform: Examine “charitable bail organizations” that pay bail for defendants, thereby relieving them of any financial incentive to appear in court. Study the operations and funding sources of these organizations. Make recommendations to ensure accountability for “charitable bail organizations” that provide free bond for arrested individuals that re-offend while out on bond; further restrict these organizations’ ability to post bail for violent individuals; and promote transparency.
- Monitor Senate Bill 1004, relating to creating the criminal offense of tampering with an electronic monitoring device and to certain consequences on conviction of that offense.
Criminal Justice – 6/6/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will meet to discuss the following interim charge:
- Stopping Child Predators: Study how predators use Deepfake technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to harm or exploit children. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 2700, 88th Legislature, relating to prosecution of certain criminal offenses prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving children. Recommend additional legislation to protect children as technology continues to evolve.
Border Security – 6/11/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:
- Securing the Texas-Mexico Border: Review state and local agencies’ participation in border security.
Business & Commerce – 6/12/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will meet to consider interim charges.
Natural Resources & Economic Development – 6/13/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Preserving Texas History: Review the historical site district designation and how such designations contribute to cultural preservation, tourism, and community identity. Report on what impact this historical designation would have on property values, site preservation, and educational opportunities within certain districts including, but not limited to, the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Alamo complex, Washington-on-the-Brazos, and Goliad.
- Overcoming Federal Incompetence: Consider the impact to the Texas economy from federal interference including, but not limited to, restricting liquified natural gas exports, supply chain limitations, a net-zero carbon agenda, and other air emission provisions. Report on what impact these federal interferences will have on the Texas economy and workforce, and make recommendations to minimize the damage to Texas.
- Protecting Local Taxpayers: Examine current use and imposition of local option hotel occupancy taxes. Make recommendations to enhance accountability and increase transparency in the use of these funds.
Business & Commerce – 7/27/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.028
The committee will meet to consider interim charges.
Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs – 9/3/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Water System Reliability: Evaluate water systems in Texas and identify opportunities to better equip those systems to serve the public. Review the coordination of relevant state agencies dealing with Texas water issues and identify opportunities for improved coordination and effectiveness.
- Monitor Senate Bill 28, relating to financial assistance provided and programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board;
- Monitor Senate Bill 1289, relating to the disposal of reclaimed wastewater;
- Monitor Senate Bill 1414, relating to the temporary regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; and
- Monitor Senate Bill 1648, relating to the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund.
Finance – 9/4/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.036
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Continue Cutting Property Taxes: 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:
- School maintenance and operation property taxes;
- All school property taxes; and
- All 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 Property Tax Relief: 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
The committee will 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. Report on the progress of inpatient facility construction projects. Assess and report on the effectiveness of spending on mental health services.
- Monitor Texas Energy Fund: Senate Bill 2627 and Senate Joint Resolution 93, 88th Legislature, Regular Session;
- Monitor Texas Water Fund: Senate Bill 28 and Senate Joint Resolution 75, 88th Legislature, Regular Session;
- Monitor Centennial Parks Conservation Fund: Senate Bill 1648 and Senate Joint Resolution 74, 88th Legislature, Regular Session; and
- Monitor Broadband Infrastructure Fund: House Bill 9 and House Joint Resolution 125, 88th Legislature, Regular Session.
Natural Resources & Economic Development – 9/17/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will 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.
Transportation – 9/18/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.016
The Committee will hear invited testimony only on the following interim charges:
- Transportation Funding: Assess the implementation of funding appropriated by the 88th Legislature for aviation, maritime ports, international points of entry, existing rail line operations, and public transportation from non-dedicated state funds and federal funds and make recommendations to ensure these sectors meet current demands and are prepared for future growth.
- Autonomous Vehicle Safety: Evaluate autonomous vehicle operations, implementation, incident reporting, and accountability to law enforcement. Make recommendations to ensure public safety and transparency.
- Reviewing Historic Accomplishments in Transportation: Review the implementations and outcomes of key transportation funding and policy initiatives since the 84th Legislature. Report on trends or patterns to guide future planning and governance.
- The Future of Our Economy: Evaluate President Biden’s plan to transition to all-electric vehicles, and the impact on Texans and the state economy. Assess and report on the viability of the charging infrastructure, including the need for more charging stations and upgrades to the power grid, loss of gas tax revenue for transportation and public education, barriers to widespread adoption such as consumer costs for purchasing new vehicles and installing residential charging infrastructure, and the impacts to the oil and gas economy in Texas.
Health & Human Services – 9/18/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Children’s Mental Health: Review care and services currently available to the growing population of Texas children with high acuity mental and behavioral health needs. Make recommendations to improve access to care and services for these children that will support family preservation and prevent them from entering the child welfare system.
- Access to Health Care: Evaluate current access to primary and mental health care. Examine whether regulatory and licensing flexibilities could improve access to care, particularly in medically underserved areas of Texas. Make recommendations, if any, to improve access to care while maintaining patient safety.
Border Security – 9/19/2024 at 10:00 AM, Location: E1.016
The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
- Securing the Texas-Mexico Border: Examine the impact of transnational criminal activity on commerce including, but not limited to, organized crime fuel theft to fund criminal operations. Make recommendations to support and strengthen interagency border operations to combat criminal enterprises.
- Support for Border Security Personnel: Consider the effect on personnel who have actively served or participated in Operation Lone Star and the impact of their service on their health and well-being, and their regular employment or assignments outside of Operation Lone Star. Study the challenges and barriers that affect the recruitment and retention of personnel engaged in border security efforts.
- Monitor Senate Bill 602, relating to the law enforcement authority of federal border patrol agents;
- Monitor Senate Bill 1133, relating to a program to compensate landowners for property damage caused by certain criminal activities; and
- Monitor Senate Bill 1484, relating to a border operations training program for peace officers employed by local law enforcement agencies.
Business & Commerce – 10/1/2024 at 9:00 AM, Location: E1.012
The committee will meet to consider interim charges.
