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15 Document(s) [ Subject: Liens ]

Committee: House Agriculture and Livestock
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Agriculture | Agriculture, Texas Department of | Animal Health Commission, Texas | Bees | Disaster relief | Economic impact | Exotic species | Hemp | Hurricane Harvey | Invasive species | Liens | Monarch butterflies | Natural disasters | Rural economic development | Tropical storms |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 Ag86
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [49 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the Texas Department of Agriculture's and the Texas Animal Health Commission's role in the response to Hurricane Harvey. Examine the short-term and long-term economic and agricultural impacts to producers in the agriculture and livestock industries in Texas as a result of Harvey. Identify ways to mitigate the impact and prevent substantial losses from Harvey and future natural disasters.
2. Study the Texas olive and olive oil industry. Provide suggestions to improve, promote, and standardize the industry. Examine current policy related to the industry and examine factors such as research, marketing, labeling, standards, data collection, and the necessity of creating a commodity board or similar type of organization.
3. Review the Texas Department of Agriculture's Seed Certification Program and related areas. Consider any benefits or drawbacks to privatizing the program through a nonprofit crop improvement association.
4. Study the effects of declining migratory species, such as the monarch butterfly, as well as native and domesticated bee populations on agricultural production and its economic impact on the state. Identify possible causes of the population changes and monitor national trends. Make recommendations on how to improve and promote monarch butterfly and bee populations and habitats in the state. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism)
5. Identify methods for the early detection of exotic invasive organisms that could threaten the production of agricultural crops, such as cotton, in Texas.
6. Consider the feasibility of developing and implementing a central filing system to be used for the filing of all financing statements that cover farm products being sold and purchased in this state that are subject to an agricultural lien.
7. Evaluate the uses of industrial hemp and the economic feasibility of developing an industrial hemp market under existing or future state and federal regulations. Examine the processing and manufacturing process requirements of multiple bi-products, including feed, food, fiber, cosmetics, supplements, and building materials.
8. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
Committee: Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Agriculture, Texas Department of | Animal diseases | Chronic Wasting disease | Deer | Flooding | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Interbasin water transfers | Junior water rights | Liens | Litter | Surface water | Texas State Water Plan | Water rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 AG86r
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [98 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Surface Water/Groundwater: Study and make recommendations regarding the ownership, production, and transfer of surface water and groundwater in the state of Texas.
2. State Water Plan: Study and make recommendations on improving the process of developing and executing the State Water Plan.
3. Agricultural Liens: Study and make recommendations on improving the law in this state regarding agricultural liens under Chapter 70, Agricultural Code. The study should include whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect the financial interest agricultural producers have in their product.
4. Water Litter: Study and make recommendations on the effects of windblown and waterborne litter. The study should include an analysis of the economic effects of litter, any necessary methods to prevent and remediate litter, and an assessment of state and local programs to reduce litter.
5. Game & Ag. Product Safety: Study and make recommendations on improving the laws regarding the management of game animals, production of domestic fowl, and development of agricultural products in the State to reduce the occurrence and spread of disease and harmful pests.
6. Promotion of Texas Agriculture: Study the economic benefits the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Market Development Services provide to the state through promoting Texas Agricultural products. Review the current marketing services and strategies available to Texas producers and determine additional resources necessary to increase the Market Development Services capabilities. Make recommendations for legislative action, if needed.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs during the 84th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically monitor the Texas Water Development Board's process in the identification and designation of brackish groundwater zones.
Committee: Senate Business and Commerce
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Delinquent taxes | Elder abuse | Electronic security | Employment eligibility verification | Hailstorms | Health insurance | Liens | Medical bill balance billing | Occupational licenses | Prompt payment of insurance claims | Property insurance | Public information | State employees | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Undocumented immigrants |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 B963
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [72 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Occupational Licensing: Review all occupations licensed under Texas law to determine the extent to which continued state regulation and licensure is required to protect public health and safety. Examine methods to ensure greater legislative oversight of new regulations, scope, and necessity of certain licenses and make recommendations for state licenses that should be repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.
2. Hail Storm: Monitor the number of lawsuits related to property claims filed as a result of multiple hail storms and weather related events across Texas. Examine negative consumer trends that may result in market disruption such as higher premiums and deductibles, less coverage, non-renewals, and inability to secure coverage due to insurance carrier withdrawal from the state and make recommendations on legislative action needed.
3. Texas Prompt Pay Law: Study the impact of the penalty calculations under the current prompt payment of health care claim laws and regulations, including comparing penalties in other states and late payment penalties in Texas for other lines of insurance. Evaluate whether unregulated billed charges is the appropriate basis for determining penalty amounts and make recommendations for statutory changes, if needed.
4. Cyber-security/Storage: Examine cyber-security efforts undertaken by state entities and study the legal, policy, and privacy implications of the trend toward storage of personal, private, and business confidential information in network attached storage, cloud storage, and other developing data storage options rather than on local devices. Make recommendations on how to best protect Texans’ financial and personal information.
5. Elder Financial Abuse: Study elder financial abuse and determine what steps the State of Texas should take to help protect older Texans from financial exploitation.
6. Property Tax Liens: Examine and make recommendations for necessary changes regarding the collection process of delinquent ad valorem property taxes, including an inquiry into the role that tax lien transfers play in forestalling foreclosure.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) State agency participation in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program; 2) Implementation of legislation intended to further protect consumers from the balance billing process; 3) Changes made to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association; 4) The regulation of public insurance adjusters; and 5) The current consent policy for state disclosure of personal data.
Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Automobile repairs | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Electronic security | Employees | Identity theft | Independent contractors | Liens | Theft | Wages | Workers' compensation | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 B964
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [66 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the voluntary nature of workers' compensation in Texas and how it meets the needs of employers and employees.
2. Review existing lien laws in Texas. Specifically: a. Examine laws concerning the enforcement of contract liens affecting real property. Identify improvements, if any, that will enhance the certainty of title following sale, enhance ability to ensure that sales are conducted by qualified trustees, prevent unnecessary litigation, facilitate loss mitigation between borrowers and sellers, and protect the interests of homeowners, lenders and trustees. b. Study the imposition of mechanics' liens on automobiles and its impact on mechanics, car owners and purchasers, and lenders. c. Review ad valorem tax lien lending after the implementation of SB 247, 83rd R.S. and the impact on homeowners, taxing authorities, mortgage lenders, and tax lien lenders. Review the procedures and powers of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner to ensure compliance with SB 247.
3. Study the impact of SB 1024,82 R.S. on wage theft and law enforcement's and regulatory agencies' responses to wage theft claims. Recommend changes if necessary.
4. Examine the issue of misclassifying employees as independent contractors on workers, employers, income tax withholding, and the unemployment insurance system. Review current statutory deterrents, including those equired by HB 2015, 83rd R.S., and make recommendations for changes if necessary.
5. Study the impact of credit card data theft and other credit or privacy information theft on Texas consumers and businesses.
6. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, May 27, 2014 (Existing lien laws: automobile mechanics liens, property tax liens, contractors liens, foreclosure process; wage theft)
Library Call Number:
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View document [218 pages  File size: 18,200 kb]
Committee: House Energy Resources
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: e-government | Liens | Mexico | Mineral rights | Natural gas production | Natural gas royalties | Oil production | Oil royalties | Pipeline safety | Property rights | Railroad Commission of Texas | Rainy Day Fund |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 En27
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [44 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the impact of the expanding oil and gas exploration and production occurring across the state. Included in the study should be both the positive impacts of the exploration and production as well as the new challenges they are presenting. The study should encompass a review of the following issues: • The effect on the state budget and the Economic Stabilization Fund; • The overall impact on the state economy; • The impact on property values and local taxes; • The effect on roads; • The impact on local school districts; • The complex relationship between land owners, royalty owners, and operators; • The impact on the environment, including emissions and injection wells; • Projected water needs and how those fit with our state water plan; and • The housing issues created by the number of workers needed in areas of shale plays.
2. Study the P5 permitting process at the Railroad Commission to determine whether the process is efficient and effective and whether there are actions that can be taken to improve the process.
3. Study and review the appropriation of general revenue dollars allocated to the Railroad Commission for improvements in IT systems to ensure those funds are being utilized to streamline the permitting process and to allow access to information for all parties that conduct business at the Commission.
4. Review the application of Texas Business & Commerce Code, Section 9.343, to determine the legal rights of unperfected security interests of oil and gas producers with respect to subsequent purchasers, specifically in the context of a bankruptcy proceeding such as Arrow Oil & Gas, Inc. v. SemCrude, L.P. and subsequent cases.
5. Monitor the implementation of HB 2982, 83rd R.S. to ensure that the required rulemaking is completed efficiently and in a timely manner and SB 1747, 83rd R.S. to ensure effective implementation in keeping with legislative intent.
6. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
7. Examine the impact on Texas’s economy and businesses of the recent expansion of oil and gas production in Northern Mexico. Assess opportunities for economic growth in Texas and collaboration between Texas businesses and Mexico resulting from Mexico’s energy reform, including Mexico’s efforts to recover shale gas from the Eagle Ford Shale.
Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Adverse possession | Construction industry | Consumer credit and debt | Deed restrictions | General contractors | Homeowners' associations | Liens | Mortgages | Property taxes | Statutes of limitation | Subcontractors |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 B964
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [49 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review existing lien laws in Texas and make recommendations for improvement.
2. Review the current statutory requirements to obtain real property by adverse possession in Texas. Recommend any changes to existing law that may be needed to ensure equitable real estate transfers in the state.
3. Examine current deed restriction laws and make recommendations to encourage efficiency in homeownership and conveyance.
4. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 82nd Legislature, including the amendments to the Texas Property Code regarding homeowners associations.
Committee: Senate Business and Commerce
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 82nd Legislature
Subjects: Alternative energy | Career preparedness | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utilities | Electric utility rates and charges | Electricity transmission and distribution | Energy conservation | Homeowners insurance | Job training programs | Liens | Mortgages | Municipally-owned utilities | Natural disasters | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Unemployment benefits | Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund | Wind energy | Workforce |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 B963
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [84 pages  File size: 2,897 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the implementation of H.B. 4409 enacted by the 81st Legislature pertaining to the financing of insured losses in excess of premium and other revenue of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Assess the coverage and affordability of TWIA policies. Review the claims and payments processes and make recommendations to improve the stability of TWIA while enhancing services to clients.
2. Study options for reducing demand for electricity, including innovative pricing options relating to the use of smart meters, programmable thermostats, and other demand side management and behavioral response strategies. Review current consumer education programs to reduce demand, decrease energy prices, and improve air quality. Consider benefits and costs of alternative energy sources such as geothermal and solar, and current incentives for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The study should include recommendations on improving consumer knowledge and usage of these strategies in lowering overall electric usage, promoting energy efficiency, and improving the reliability of the ERCOT grid.
3. Study and make recommendations relating to the development and implementation of wind energy. Assess the total impact of wind energy, including additional costs to consumers, if any, buy-back provisions and pricing, the need for alternative energy sources at times when wind does not generate electricity, impact on the ERCOT grid, development of battery storage and other storage methods, and economic development impacts.
4. Study the generation costs of municipally owned electric utilities' planned generation portfolios. Consider the impact of planned generation costs on electric rates for residential and commercial customers. Solicit input on the impact of future electric rates on charitable and non-profit organizations, and the impact on such organizations' cash assistance programs to indigent customers. Consider the merits of a justifiable planned generation cost standard, and whether a deviation above the standard should be subject to approval by a vote of all customers of a municipally owned utility's service area.
5. Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Unemployment Compensation Insurance system, including, but not limited to, the following:
  • The capacity and efficiency of the claims filing and benefits delivery system as well as the ability of the agency to meet the needs of the clients it serves given the transition to call centers and web based filing;
  • The current financing scheme for the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, and any options to improve the long term financial health and stability of the Fund;
  • The use of debit cards for delivery of UI benefits, including ways to limit user fees to access payments; and
  • Improving public access to local and statewide data on current and historical UI claims.
6. Study and make recommendations regarding career-focused education and workforce training programs in Texas to insure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs: meet the current and future workforce needs of health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, information technology and green jobs; help retain workers in such trades and fields; retrain and update the skills and education of workers in such trades and fields; and foster and encourage collaboration between the State, education, labor and business to provide education and training.
7. Study the effectiveness of Chapter 557 of the Insurance Code, relating to insured property subject to a security interest, in setting forth the obligations of a lender and a residential real property insured resulting from an insurer's payment of a claim for damage to the residential real property caused by a natural disaster. Consider the legislation's requirements for release of the insurance proceeds, lienholder's approval of payment of the insurance proceeds, accrual and payment of interest on such proceeds and penalties provided by the statute. Make recommendations for any needed refinements of the legislation.
8. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 72nd Legislature : report of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, State of Texas, 71st Legislature.
Subjects: Court reform | Damage awards | Judicial districts | Judicial elections | Judicial selection | Liens |
Library Call Number: L1836.71 j899
Session: 71st R.S. (1989)
Online version: View report [118 pages  File size: 4,431 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To monitor all activities and to have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 20.
2. To study the feasibility of a Uniform Construction Lien Act.
3. To study the feasibility of single-member judicial districts in large urban counties.
4. To study the impact of depositing a designated portion of exemplary damage awards to the State's General Revenue Fund.
5. To study judicial selection alternatives, including non-partisan appointments, and merit selection methods.
Committee: House Business and Commerce
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim studies / Business and Commerce Committee.
Subjects: Commerce, Texas Department of | Construction industry | Economic development | General contractors | International trade | Job training programs | Liens | Mergers and acquisitions | Mexico | Privatization | Statutory revision | Tourism | Use taxes | Welfare | Welfare-to-work |
Library Call Number: L1836.70 b964
Session: 70th R.S. (1987)
Online version: View report [180 pages  File size: 5,263 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To monitor all activities and to have budget oversight responsibilities for those agencies, boards and commissions as listed in Rule 3, Section 3, including the new Department of Commerce and Strategic Policy Commission.
2. To study the possible revision of Chapter 53, Texas Property Code (Mechanic's Liens).
3. To study all issues relating to economic development and diversification through trade and commercial arrangements between business enterprises in Texas and those in Mexico and other Latin American nations.
4. To study and monitor the effectiveness of the agency consolidations and creation of the Department of Commerce.
5. To study and monitor the Department of Commerce's implementation of the requirements of Article 5 (Small Business Assistance), Article 6 (Business Permit Office), and Article 7 (State and Local Permits) in reducing unnecessary governmental regulatory delays that inhibit the economic development of the state.
6. To study the cost/benefits and potential scope of private contracting for governmental services by the State.
7. To study the effect and feasibility of state legislation governing hostile corporate takeovers of domestic corporations.
8. To study methods by which the results of state recruiting programs of business and industry relocation efforts can be measured in terms of cost-benefit to Texas, including a survey of other states' methods of measuring effectiveness.
9. To study the use of the Hotel-Motel Tax.
Committee: House Financial Institutions
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the House Financial Institutions Committee, Texas House of Representatives, 70th Legislature.
Subjects: Banks and banking | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Financial investments | Franchise taxes | Fraud | Home equity loans | Liens | Public Funds Investment Act | Savings and Loans | Tax deductions |
Library Call Number: L1836.70 f49
Session: 70th R.S. (1987)
Online version: View report [89 pages  File size: 2,838 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To study the need to clarify and consolidate existing statutes governing the investment of public funds by local and regional governmental entities; and to study the advisability of expanding the investment option of local governments and institutions of Higher Education.
2. To study the problems of unenforceable second liens on a homestead.
3. To study the extent and public benefits of state regulatory authority over the savings and loan industry.
4. To study the equity of imposing the state franchise tax on both a bank holding company and the individual banks and the feasibility of amending state law to resolve the issue.
5. To study the lending practices and procedures of institutions and individuals that contribute to fraud, abuse and deception in the buying and selling of retail installment contracts.
Committee: Joint Security for Judgments, Special
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Joint Special Committee on Security for Judgments.
Subjects: Debt collection | Liens |
Library Call Number: L1836.70 j896
Session: 70th R.S. (1987)
Online version: View report [56 pages  File size: 1,676 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study Texas law and procedure relating to security for judgments in order to clarify the law and afford equity, while preserving the right of persons to obtain appropriate relief and access through the appellate processes in the court system. The study should address: (1) the need to clarify the law to confirm that the courts have the flexibility and discretion in determining the amount of bond required to supersede a judgment; (2) the desirability of providing that the posting of a bond in the required amount shall also supersede the right to obtain abstracts of judgments and full judgment liens; and (3) whether a maximum level of bond should be established consistent with the availability of surety bonding capacity and the Texas constitutional policy of ensuring open access to the courts.
Supporting documents
Committee: Joint Security for Judgments, Special
Title: SCR 122, 70th Leg.
Library Call Number: SCR 122
Session: 70th R.S. (1987)
Online version: View document [2 pages  File size: 196 kb]
Committee: House Agriculture and Livestock
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 70th Texas Legislature / Texas House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.
Subjects: Agricultural loans | Agriculture, Texas Department of | Animal Health Commission, Texas | Brush control | Cotton production | Liens | Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas | Structural Pest Control Board, Texas | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Water conservation | Water planning | Water supplies |
Library Call Number: L1836.69 ag83
Session: 69th R.S. (1985)
Online version: View report [52 pages  File size: 2,281 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the effects on agriculture of the water plan enacted in HB 2, 69th R.S..
2. Study the efficacy of current commodity buyer registration requirements.
3. Study federal and private sources of financing and interagency contracting practices of the State's agricultural agencies.
4. Study the State's role in the provision of credit for agricultural enterprises.
5. Study the effects of HB 1741, 69th R.S., relating to agricultural liens.
6. Study the implementation of the Texas Brush Control Program.
7. Monitor all activities and to have budget oversight responsibilities for the following agencies: State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; Structural Pest Control Board; Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service; Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory; Natural Fibers and Food Protein Commission; State Soil and Water Conservation Board; Texas Animal Health Commission; Texas Agricultural Extension Service; Texas Agricultural Experiment Station; Texas Department of Agriculture. *
Committee: House Priority of State Tax Liens
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the House of Representatives of the 60th Legislature / House Interim Committee on Priority of State Tax Liens.
Subjects: Liens | Sales taxes |
Library Call Number: L1836.59 p938
Session: 59th R.S. (1965)
Online version: View report [26 pages  File size: 1,898 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the priority of liens in favor of the State of Texas to secure payment of all taxes levied under Title 122A, Taxation-General, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, except those levied under Chapter 10 of said Title 122A.

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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