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Issues
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Interim Highlights
Interim studies are under way in the Texas Senate where committees are holding hearings and studying
legislative changes in preparation for the next legislative session. "It is vital that our community
participate in these studies because they will shape policy on critical issues such as transportation,
education, tax relief, security and health care," said Senator Nelson. Committees must turn in their
recommendations on the following issues by December 1, 2008. The Legislature reconvenes January 13, 2009.
Business & Commerce Committee
- Review the governance structure of electric cooperatives, including consumer protection, reliability and related issues.
- Analyze options for cost-effective alternative energy production, including solar and biomass electricity generation.
- Study current industry practice and regulation associated with wind turbines.
- Examine statutory changes needed to maintain affordable and available homeowner's insurance and industry reinsurance following a natural disaster in Texas.
- Study the cost and need for business licenses, including their impact on small, start-up businesses.
- Monitor the implementation of HB 1196 prohibiting any taxpayer-subsidized job creation grant or tax abatement to businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens.
Transportation & Homeland Security Committee
- Study and make recommendations for improving management and oversight of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (such as our Regional Transportation Council).
- Study and make recommendations relating to the status of current and planned toll road projects in Texas, including the use of public-private partnerships to build new roads and/or transit services, and the market valuation process.
- Review state law pertaining to Comprehensive Development Agreements (private tolling agreements), including contract length, use of buyback provisions, and non-compete clauses, to ensure maximum benefit to taxpayers
- Review the status of structurally deficient bridges.
- Study and make recommendations regarding state and local regulation of billboards.
- Make recommendations on the future of the Trans Texas Corridor.
- Study options for minimizing diversions from the Fund 6 highway budget.
- Recommend options for stemming the tide of illegal immigration at our southern border.
Health & Human Services
- Review the state's ability to meet long-term needs for qualified physicians, nurses, and other health care providers.
- Study incentives to increase the number of employers offering health plans to employees.
- Monitor of the implementation of SB 10 by Senator Nelson to reduce the rate of uninsured Texans, contain the state's rising Medicaid costs and relieve the burden on hospital emergency rooms.
- Review funding for Texas nursing homes and study related policies in other states.
- Study the potential for development of Health Enterprise Zones, which could offer tax incentives to medical providers who locate within the boundaries of designated medically underserved areas.
Senate Education Committee & Higher Ed Subcommittee
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the public school accountability system.
- Review and make recommendations to improve the state's Adult Basic Education program, emphasizing literacy to promote economic and individual development.
- Consider changes to the formula for funding Texas' flagship and research institutions.
- Study ways to improve financial aid, as well as the impact of continued tuition de-regulation.
Finance Committee
- Review the property tax appraisal system and proposals to relieve the property tax burden.
- Examine the possibility of leasing the state lottery to a private company.
- Study the funding of county hospitals and the role neighboring counties should play.
Intergovernmental Relations Committee
- Assess the range of tools available to increase home ownership, including those designed to help low-income develop home equity. Also examine the effectiveness of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Housing Tax Credit Program.
- Review title insurance requirements and compare with other states.
- Examine the process used to establish MUDs and other special taxing districts.
Natural Resources Committee
- Review state policies and infrastructure relating to flood control.
- Assess the use of technology to reduce air pollution.
- Investigate issues related to groundwater use in areas of the state without a Texas Water Development Board defined aquifer, such as the Barnett Shale. Evaluate the impact of permitting the increase of the cap on export fees by GCDs.
- Review the power and duties of Texas' river authorities.
- Assess the environmental impact of new electric generation sources and technologies.
Senator Nelson's Interim Committee Assigments
Health & Human Services, Chair
Joint Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight, Chair
Joint Health & Human Services Eligibility Oversight, Chair
Finance
Government Organization
Tracking Issues in The Texas Legislature
Visit the Texas Legislature online at www.capitol.state.tx.us to read about the progress of interim studies,
watch hearings, sign up for calendar notifications, and access information about committee membership. To
submit comments on issues before the Legislature, write to Senator Nelson at jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us or
P.O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711.
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