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5 Document(s) [ Subject: Russia ]
| Committee: | Senate Finance | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Bail | Border security | Coronavirus | Economy | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal funds | Harris County | Homestead exemptions | Hospitals | Inflation | Investment of public funds | Long-term care | Medicaid | Mental health services | Nursing homes | Operation Lone Star (Border security) | Property tax exemptions | Property taxes | Public retirement systems | Recidivism | Retirees | Russia | School finance | State employee salaries | State employee turnover | Tax and expenditure limits | Tax revenue | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.87 F49 | |
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View report [108 pages File size: 4,001 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Federal Funds: Report on the state use of federal COVID-19 relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, and similar federal legislation. Examine local use of federal relief funding, including funding provided to school districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Evaluate the overall fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state agencies, including costs incurred due to federal mandates. Identify barriers to the effective utilization of funds and make recommendations on the expenditure of unappropriated funds. In addition, evaluate and report on the spending by state agencies that have been utilizing "one-time" federal funding (temporary enhancements, e.g. FMAP and ESSER) sources, where federal funding will likely be significantly reduced in future biennia. | |
| 2. | Property Tax Relief: Examine and recommend ways to reduce Texans' property tax burden. Review and report on proposals to use or dedicate state revenues in excess of the state spending limit to eliminate the school district maintenance and operations property tax. | |
| 3. | Inflation: Review and report on the effect inflation is having on the business community and state government, including state salaries, retiree benefits, the state economy, and cost of state services. | |
| 4. | Inflation: Review and report on the impact of inflation on units of local governments' revenue collections and property taxpayers' tax bills, including the homestead exemption. | |
| 5. | Tax Exemptions: Examine Texans' current tax exemptions and report on whether adjustments are merited because of inflation or any other factors. | |
| 6. | Russia Divestiture: Examine and report on options for state asset owners to divest their positions in companies that invest in the Russian Federation. | |
| 7. | State Pension Reforms: Monitor the implementation of recent statewide pension reforms to the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. | |
| 8. | Bail Bond Reform: Monitor the implementation of recent bail bond reform legislation along with its economic impact on the judicial and correctional system. Assess any barriers to implementation, the law’s effect on pretrial release and jail populations, and ways to further promote public safety and efficiency. | |
| 9. | Operation Lone Star: Monitor appropriations and spending supporting Operation Lone Star. Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of spending to secure the southern border. Identify and report on resources needed to ensure support for the State National Guard, as well as overall resources necessary for border security for future legislative consideration. | |
| 10. | Long-term Care Funding: Examine state investments in the long-term nursing home care system. Study nursing facility funding issues and the impact of the pandemic on capacity and delivery of care. Explore nursing facility quality metrics and recommend strategies to improve the sustainability of the long-term care workforce. | |
| 11. | Medicaid: Monitor the financial impact of federal decision-making affecting supplemental Medicaid funding for Texas hospitals and health care systems, including negotiations between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Texas Medicaid agency regarding the state's 1115 Medicaid waiver and other federal proposals reducing supplemental funding streams for Texas. | |
| 12. | Mental Health Delivery: Examine the state mental health service delivery system. Study the state's Comprehensive Plan for State-Funded Inpatient Mental Health Services and the Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan and evaluate the existing state investments in mental health services and state hospital capacity. Review current forensic and civil mental health service waitlists, and recommend ways to improve coordination and outcomes to reduce waitlists. Explore and report on options for additional mental health service capacity, including building state hospitals in the Panhandle and Rio Grande Valley areas. | |
| Committee: | House Higher Education | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Financial investments | Foreign investments | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program | Investment of public funds | Job training programs | Permanent University Fund | Russia | School discipline | Student aid | Teacher retention | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | University finance | Veterans | Workforce | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.88 Ed84hh | |
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View report [98 pages File size: 10,030 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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| 2. | Review progress toward the goals of the 60x30TX plan, including institutional strategies for responding to changing workforce needs and demands, including workforce education, industry certification, and degree programs to address healthcare shortages. | |
| 3. | Examine factors that have contributed to the rising costs of higher education, including the effect of statutory tuition and fee waivers and exemptions, the cost of compliance with state and federal mandates, and the increase in the number of non-faculty staff. Make recommendations for controlling these costs and ensuring a sound fiscal approach to managing college affordability for the future. | |
| 4. | Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state. (Joint Charge with Committee on Public Education) | |
| 5. | Review the impact of investments of endowment and other trust funds, including the Permanent University Fund, by university systems and institutions of higher education in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance. | |
| Committee: | House International Relations and Economic Development | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Border crossings | Border economy | Border issues | Child care | Coronavirus | Economic development incentives | Economy | Federal funds | International trade | Investment of public funds | Mexico | Russia | Semiconductor industry | Unemployment | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.87 EC74IR | |
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View report [44 pages File size: 1,762 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Review the impact that trade across the Texas-Mexico border has on the Texas economy. Consider the impact of the recent increase in border migration on transnational trade, including its effects on the communities along the border, points of entry, and access by Texas businesses to supplies, labor, materials, and markets in Mexico. (Joint charge with Committee on Transportation) | |
| 2. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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| 3. | Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021. | |
| 4. | Monitor the state’s economic recovery and identify obstacles impeding the state’s economic recovery. Examine the economic impact of inflation on both employers and employees. Examine global supply chain disruptions on state commerce and the flow of trade at Texas ports. Explore opportunities to attract businesses to Texas that have outsourced elements of their supply chain to foreign countries. | |
| 5. | Examine current economic development incentive programs and identify opportunities to enhance job creation in Texas. Make recommendations to promote transparency and enhance effectiveness of such programs. | |
| 6. | Evaluate Texas’ current efforts to attract semiconductor investment to the state. Identify potential strengths and vulnerabilities that could impact the success of Texas’ semiconductor industry and the ability to create and maintain a reliable semiconductor supply chain. | |
| 7. | Evaluate labor shortages and Texas’ unemployment numbers. Identify initiatives within the Texas Workforce Commission to expand job training and apprenticeship opportunities to help meet labor demands. Identify opportunities to increase outreach and information regarding career development. | |
| 8. | Review the impact that trade with Russia has on the Texas economy, including Texas manufacturers. Consider the impact of Texas investment in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impacts of any proposed investment restrictions on access by Texas businesses and the Texas scientific and technological community to capital investment, global markets, and competitive knowledge. | |
| Committee: | House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Bonds | County government | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Foreign investments | Pension Review Board, Texas | Public retirement systems | Russia | Tax evasion | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
| Library Call Number: | ||
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View report [44 pages File size: 1,440 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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| 2. | Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System (TRS) pension funds. | |
| 3. | Review the Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act to ensure proper governance and financial oversight. Examine whether the Pension Review Board has proper oversight and authority to implement necessary corrective measures. | |
| 4. | Evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental Retirement Fund and Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan 2. Identify strategies to reduce and eliminate existing unfunded liabilities and recommend structural enhancements that improve the financial health and viability of the funds moving forward. | |
| 5. | Review the impact of investments by public retirement systems of their endowment and other trust funds in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance. | |
| Supporting documents | ||
| Committee: | House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services | |
| Title: | Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 25, 2022 | |
| Library Call Number: | ||
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View document [68 pages File size: 5,738 kb] | |
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