Interim Committee Charges Released For The 2016 Interim
I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss some of the recently announced interim charges that have been announced for the 2016 interim. As you may know, the Texas Legislature meets during odd-number years for 140 days. While the governor may call a special session or sessions, the interim is a critical part of the process that determines some of the agenda for the next upcoming session. The Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, has released a list of interim committee charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These charges can range from new ideas or concepts to also examining some of the measures that were not fully realized in the previous session.
In this week’s article, I will feature some of the committee charges as well as what agenda items will be up for discussion. I will be featuring some of the topics that will get posted for discussion moving forward. If you would like to look at a complete list of the interim agenda items, please visit Interim Committee Charges for the 84th Legislature.
Below is some information about some key aspects related to the topics outlined in the Speaker’s 84th Texas Legislative Interim Charges. I hope in the coming weeks to feature some details about these charges, as well as the related agendas. More information will become available in the future.
Here are some examples of charges given to the House committees as well as what will be discussed during the interim:
House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
• 1. Evaluate policy challenges to the state’s agriculture and livestock industry, including long-term impacts of price declines in oil and natural gas; the availability of natural resources, including water, necessary to operate the industries; and the mitigation of and preparation for potential future hazards to the industries caused by natural disaster, drought, or disease.
• 2. Determine the sources of water used by Texans in the production of food and fiber, and examine current water delivery methods and water conservation goals for agricultural use. Evaluate whether there are more efficient and effective water-usage management practices that could be employed in the agricultural industry, and determine the impact of crop insurance requirements on producers. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Natural Resources)
• 3. Evaluate ways in which Texas can continue to promote our domestic agricultural products, across the nation and internationally, and to strengthen our state’s international ties for the purpose of exporting Texas food and fiber. (Joint charge with the House Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs)
• 4. Study the impacts of windblown trash on agriculture and ranching.
• 5. Study the appraisal of agricultural land for taxation and related issues, including the change-of-use “rollback” provision. Examine the impact of the current appraisal system of agricultural land for taxation on rural economic development.
House Committee on Transportation
• 1. Study the Texas Department of Transportation’s role in responding to natural disasters, specifically reviewing contraflow lane plans for major routes and technology that can minimize evacuation and travel times.
• 2. Examine the current framework for designating a project as a tolled road. Consider ways to reduce or eliminate the role of tolled roads in providing congestion relief given recent transportation funding measures approved by the Legislature.
• 3. Review the state’s statutory and budgetary requirements for design-build contracts, including cost and quantity restrictions, and consider the effect of removing those restrictions.
• 4. Review the functions of all departments in the Texas Department of Transportation related to alternative modes of transportation and make recommendations to improve their efficiency.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. You can also follow the Texas Senate at Texas Senate. For important information regarding transportation in the state, feel free to visit the Texas Department of Transportation. Other references are the Texas General Land Office, or visit the Texas Railroad Commission.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
