Longbow Legislative Update

What’s happening in and around the Capitol…

House Interim Charges

Last week, Speaker Straus released the interim charges assigned to each House Committee. These charges set forth the priorities and preparations for the next legislative session that begins January 2017. House committees will hold hearings regarding these charges in the months ahead and will report their findings shortly before the start of the 85th session.

In the press release, Speaker Straus stated, “While these assignments cover a wide variety of issues, they focus on three core priorities: supporting private-sector growth, creating opportunity through education, and continuing to make government more transparent and accountable.”

Among the issues highlighted in the House’s interim charges are:

Economic Growth
Education
Government Transparency
Water
Emergency Preparedness

Elections Update

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 14^th marks the first day that candidates can officially file for office. With the increasing daily campaign fundraisers and seat announcements, it will be interesting to see who stays in, drops out, or joins each district race until the filing deadline on December 14^th.

See the attached for the most up-to-date elections summaries:

Lt. Governor Patrick Announces New Round of Appointments

Today, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the appointments of Senate members to the Senate Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting and Assessment; Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs; Committee to Study Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Health Benefit Plans; and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Additionally, two Texans were appointed to the Commission to Study and Review Certain Penal Laws.

Senate Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting, and Assessment

Studies potential ways to ensure the state is able to identify, track, and maintain information on the location, condition, and replacement value of all real property owned by the state. The committee will submit their report to the legislature by January 13, 2017.

Sen. Brian Birdwell (Chair)
Sen. Kevin Eltife
Sen. Jose Menendez
Sen. Larry Taylor
Sen. Kirk Watson

Commission to Study and Review Certain Penal Laws

Studies and reviews certain penal laws of this state and will make recommendations to the legislature regarding the repeal of laws identified as unnecessary, unclear, duplicative, overly broad, or insufficient to serve their intended purpose of the law. The commission will submit their report to the legislature by November 1, 2016.

Leticia “Letty” Martinez – Attorney and Partner at Varghese Summersett, P.L.L.C.
Jarvis Parsons – District Attorney, Brazos County

Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs

Studies and makes recommendations relating to the effect of changing demographics of this state on the economy, workplace, educational attainment, health, veterans affairs, and political leadership. The council reports to the legislature by October 1 of each even-numbered year.

Sen. Eduardo A. “Eddie” Lucio, Jr.

Committee to Study TRS Health Benefit Plans

Reviews the health benefit plans administered by the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas and proposes reforms to address the financial soundness of the plans, cost and affordability of plan coverage, and sufficiency of access to physicians and health care providers. The committee will submit their report to the legislature by January 15, 2017.

Sen. Joan Huffman (Co-Chair)

Sen. Jane Nelson
Sen. Craig Estes

Texas Indigent Defense Commission

Directs and supervises the Texas Indigent Defense Commission in developing a plan to establish statewide requirements for counties to report indigent defense information and in monitoring the effectiveness and compliance with state law.