Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus has announced the Interim Charges for the 82nd Regular Session of the Legislature, which will convene in January 2013.
Capitol observers take note of the items on the list as a preview of policy issues that are likely to be considered. The charges are given to the standing committees for their consideration. After conducting hearings over the next several months, each panel is required to file a report prior to the Session.
It is important to keep in mind that the Legislature is not limited in any way by the charges, and can take up whatever bills and resolutions are introduced.
Here is the entire list.
Below are the charges from committees that are most likely to impact community and technical college educators.
House Committee on Appropriations
Evaluate the funding, performance, and administration of the state's adult basic education programs. (Joint with the House Committee on Higher Education)
Monitor the performance of state agencies and institutions, including operating budgets, plans to carry out legislative initiatives and planned budget reductions, caseload projections, performance measure attainment, implementation of all rider provisions, and any other matter affecting the fiscal condition of the agencies and the state.
House Committee on Higher Education
Review the various research funding programs available to institutions of higher education. Analyze the effectiveness of each program and recommend whether state funding should be continued. Consider whether the investments made in these programs are attracting research projects to Texas and whether more emphasis should be placed on policies that attract outside research funding to Texas. Consider whether maintaining multiple programs dilutes the state's efforts to attract groundbreaking research to Texas.
Review potential improvements to transfer pathways within the state's higher education system. Examine the impact of transferability on timely degree completion. Study and recommend strategies to improve the "2+2" model as a low- cost degree option.
Evaluate proposals for the state’s next master plan for higher education beyond 2015, including a review of various metrics to measure successful outcomes in higher education.
Evaluate the funding, performance, and administration of the state’s adult basic education programs. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations)
Examine the impact of research at state universities on the state economy. Identify ways to increase the partnership opportunities between private business and research institutions to enhance the commercialization of newly discovered technology. (Joint with the House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development)
Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 82nd Legislature.
House Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services
Review local retirement systems that are not a part of statewide systems, the administration of these retirement systems, and current liabilities. Study and make recommendations aimed at curbing rising pension costs to local governments.
Review the Texas County and District Retirement System and the Texas Municipal Retirement System and examine plan provisions offered to individual participating counties and cities.
Monitor the implementation of HB 2592 (82R) and HB 2594 (82R), regarding pay day lending.
Review the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on Texas industries, with particular attention to any federal preemption issues that exist. Make appropriate legislative recommendations.
Monitor all agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction. Specifically, monitor the study by the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas of the viability of the current defined benefit plans as well as the implications and feasibility of creating a defined contribution or hybrid plan.
Comments