Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim
Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study. Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.
The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.
Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees:
House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock – Evaluate the role of community gardens and urban farming efforts that increase access to healthy foods and examine the possible impact that state and local policies have on the success of programs of this type. Determine the feasibility of policies to support these efforts, especially in high-population areas.
House Committee on Corrections – Study ways to reduce the number of youth referred to the juvenile justice system. Consider the availability of mental health services, diversion and early intervention programs, and other prevention methods.
House Committee on County Affairs – Study county-related issues arising from population growth in unincorporated areas with regard to existing and new developments and the provision of services, including garbage disposal, fire protection, road maintenance, electricity, and water and wastewater service. Make necessary legislative recommendations for improving problems in these areas of the state.
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence – Study and make recommendations for criminal penalties for the failure of a parent or guardian to report a missing child or the death of a child.
Review the current sentencing practices for defendants with mental illnesses and make recommendations. Study practices in other states. Compare recent incarceration trends between those who have mental illnesses and those who do not.
House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism – Evaluate strategies to control known existing invasive aquatic species, including species commonly referred to as giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), water hyacinths (family Pontederiaceae), and zebra mussels (family Dreissenidae).
Recommend approaches to improve long-term funding for state park acquisition, development, and maintenance.
Study the effects the drought and wildfires have had on tourism and recreation in Texas. Make recommendations for ways to prevent future losses.
House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs – Study the current role of all Texas state military forces. Identify changes that would enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the state guard, air guard, and national guard and all other components of our state military forces.
Determine any challenges to the training and operations of Texas’ 15 military installations in light of recent reductions in federal defense spending. Additionally, review the current structure and mission of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission as a result of HB 2546 (81R). Recommend any legislative actions needed to sustain and improve the state’s military preparedness.
Study and make recommendations on how the state and local governments can work together to protect our federal military installations from unnecessary encroachment while still allowing appropriate use of land near bases to be used for nonmilitary purposes.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. 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).
