House Committee on State Affairs - 80th R.S. (2007)

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Committee Members

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Charges

• (a) The House Committee on State Affairs shall conduct an interim study regarding the feasibility of creating a fund designed to reimburse aggrieved persons who experience actual damages from a builder's actions in violation of Title 16, Property Code. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two additional members of the house of representatives who have expressed an interest in this issue as voting adjunct members of the committee for the purpose of participating in the study.
  (b) The committee shall investigate:
  (1) potential methods for payments into the fund, procedures for managing the fund, and methods for making claims to the fund; and
  (2) similar funds created by other states and jurisdictions of the United States and the relative successes or failures of those funds.
  (c) Not later than September 1, 2008, the committee shall submit to the speaker of the house of representatives and the members of the house of representatives:
  (1) the results of the study; and
  (2) any recommendations for statutory changes resulting from the findings of the study.

• Research and recommend the best ways to require governmental entities in Texas, both state and local, to develop reasonable investment strategies that will help the Texas economy and increase jobs and resources brought to the state.

• Study the cost/benefits to the state for projects approved by school districts for a limitation on appraised value under the Texas Economic Development Act (Chapter 313, Tax Code).

• Study the merits of developing a coherent policy of offering incentives to local governments for activities relating to recruiting and hosting special events.

• Research the possibilities of including Texas manufacturing in the Invest Texas First/Buy Texas First Program.

• Examine the current state of the nanotechnology industry in Texas and the impact and potential that the industry has on economic development. Review any current federal and state regulations that are designed to ensure the safety of the development, use and disposal of nanotechnology-related materials and waste products.

• Study and make recommendations to encourage the authorization for political subdivisions to enter into agreements with the United State Department of Homeland Security under Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act, to perform the functions of immigration officers.

• Study the issue of using state funds to advertise government programs and services to discern if taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately, and to consider legislation that will ensure that these dollars are not spent to coerce, but rather benefit, the public through honest educative efforts.

• Review changes in border security and immigration on the state and federal level. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Border and International Affairs.)

• Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.

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Notes

Beverly Woolley and Ruth Jones McClendon appointed voting adjunct members for the purpose of participating in the interim study on damages from builder's actions in violation of Title 16, Property Code. (Letter, Tom Craddick, 9/24/2007.)

Charges issued by the Speaker November 29, 2007.

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