Subject search results
37 Document(s) [ Subject: Employees Retirement System of Texas ]
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 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, June 6, 2022 | |
Library Call Number: | ||
Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
Online version: | View document [64 pages File size: 7,128 kb] | |
Committee: | House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services | |
Title: | Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 16, 2022 | |
Library Call Number: | ||
Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
Online version: | View document [66 pages File size: 1,886 kb] | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Abortion | Biometric identification | Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Human trafficking | Investment of public funds | Licensing and Regulation, Texas Department of | Privacy | Public retirement systems | Sexually oriented businesses | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.87 St29a | |
Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
Online version: | View report [36 pages File size: 779 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Protecting the Unborn: Monitor the impact of SB 8, 87th R.S., The Texas Heartbeat Act, and the expanded funding for alternatives to abortion programs passed by the 87th Legislature. Study alternatives to abortion programs' effectiveness in meeting the needs of pregnant and post-partum women and recommend how the Legislature should strengthen the program. Recommend ways to provide additional alternatives to abortion and comprehensive informed consent resources to mothers who are expecting. | |
2. | Human Trafficking: Examine opportunities and make recommendations to reduce the profitability of and demand for human trafficking in Texas. Determine ways to increase public awareness of the proliferation of human trafficking, as well as resources for victims and survivors. Monitor the implementation of HB 1540, 87th R.S., and examine changes in arrest rates, judicial dispositions, and sentencing amongst offenders due to provisions of the legislation. Examine opportunities for attorneys to combat human trafficking in their local communities, including use of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to generate revenue for local law enforcement officials combatting human trafficking. Make any other recommendations to further prevent human trafficking. | |
3. | Privacy and Transparency: Review the current state laws that protect and secure individuals' biometric identifiers. Explore ways to protect against the use of biometric identifiers for unintended purposes without an individual's consent and make recommendations to the Senate. Study websites that closely resemble government websites or fraudulently represent companies that they are not, including websites that use names of state agencies or licenses. Make recommendations to ensure that Texans' are not mislead, taken advantage, or defrauded, especially when they try to seek assistance from a state website. | |
4. | Investment Practices: Study the investment practices of financial services firms and how those practices affect the state’s public pensions. Make recommendations to ensure the state’s public pension funds are not being invested to further political or social causes. | |
Committee: | House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Attorney General of Texas | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Consumer protection | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Investment of public funds | Pension liabilities | Private retirement systems | Public retirement systems | Small businesses | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.86 P387 | |
Session: | 86th R.S. (2019) | |
Online version: | View report [42 pages File size: 2,254 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 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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2. | Monitor the Teacher Retirement System's (TRS) actions in implementing high deductible regional plans for certain school districts interested in providing alternatives to the current TRS Active Care options. | |
3. | Study pension plan and personal retirement savings options for small businesses in order to be competitive with state and larger employers. | |
4. | Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System and TRSpension funds. Examine the cost of and potential strategies for achieving and maintaining the actuarial soundness of the funds. Examine the effect the unfunded liabilities could have on the state's credit. Examine the state's investment policies and practices, including investment objectives, targets, disclosure policies, and transparency. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Appropriations) | |
5. | Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration. | |
Committee: | Senate Health and Human Services | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Child abuse | Child Protective Services | Emergency management | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of | Foster care | Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Health care costs | Healthy Texas Women | Hurricane Harvey | Insurance, Texas Department of | Juvenile justice system | Managed care | Medicaid | Natural disasters | Opioids | Prescription drugs | Public health | State Health Services, Texas Department of | Substance abuse | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.85 H349 | |
Session: | 85th R.S. (2017) | |
Online version: | View report [98 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review the state's response to Hurricane Harvey with a focus on public health efforts at the local and state level. The review should include an analysis of the state and local response related to vector control, immunization needs, utilization of health-related volunteers, adequacy of an emergency medical network, evacuation of vulnerable populations from state operated or regulated facilities, and coordination between all levels of government. Recommend any legislative changes necessary to improve public health response and coordination during and after a disaster. | |
2. | Evaluate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the capacity of out-of-home placements and care for youth involved with the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Determine how the state can ensure support is available to provide appropriate care as close to home as possible as facilities and offices are rebuilt. | |
3. | Child Welfare: Review the efficacy and quality of services offered to ensure family preservation while in the Family Based Social Services (FESS) stage of service at the Department of Family and Protective Services. Make recommendations to better track quality of services and link payments to providers of these services to outcomes for families and children. Analyze the Department of Family and Protective Services' progress in meeting statutory requirements related to timely visits to children involved in a reported case of abuse or neglect. Make recommendations to further improve the timeliness of these visits. Review services and supports provided to children in Permanent Managing Conservatorship of the state, and the level of preparedness given to youth aging out of state care. Examine the impact of recent legislation related to these populations, and make recommendations to ensure youth in care are ready for adulthood and to reduce the likelihood of intergenerational perpetuation of child maltreatment. Assess the effectiveness of public and private agency efforts to recruit and retain foster parents. Identify barriers to entry and obstacles that prevent interested families from continuing to provide foster care. Recommend solutions to increase foster recruitment and address non-renewals, especially in first-time foster parents. | |
4. | Substance Abuse/Opioids: Review substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery programs operated or funded by the state and make recommendations to enhance services, outreach, and agency coordination. Examine the adequacy of substance use, services for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid or the Healthy Texas Women Program and recommend ways to improve substance use related health outcomes for these women and their newborns. Examine the impact of recent legislative efforts to curb overprescribing and doctor shopping via the prescription monitoring program and recommend ways to expand on current efforts. | |
5. | Medicaid Managed Care Quality and Compliance: Review the Health and Human Services Commission's efforts to improve quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program, including pay-for-quality initiatives in Medicaid managed care. Compare alternative payment models and value-based payment arrangements with providers in Medicaid managed care, the Employees Retirement System, and the Teachers Retirement System, and identify areas for cross-collaboration and coordination among these entities. Evaluate the commission's efforts to ensure Medicaid managed care organizations' compliance with contractual obligations and the use of incentives and sanctions to enforce compliance. Assess the commission's progress in implementing competitive bidding practices for Medicaid managed care contracts and other initiatives to ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars used in Medicaid managed care contracts. | |
6. | Health Care Cost Transparency: Study efforts by the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Insurance to increase health care cost transparency, including a review of the Texas Health Care Information Collection (THCIC) system, and the Consumer Guide to Healthcare. Recommend ways to make provider and facility fees more accessible to consumers to improve health care cost transparency, increase quality of care, and create a more informed health care consumer base. | |
7. | Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, 85th Legislature and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation, including but not limited to: • Initiatives to increase capacity and reduce waitlists in the mental health system, including the construction of state hospitals and new community grant programs; • Initiatives to better understand the causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, including the impact of legislation passed during the first special session of the 85th Legislature. Recommend ways to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and methods to better collect data related to maternal mortality and morbidity; • Initiatives intended to improve child safety, Child Protective Services workforce retention, and development of additional capacity in the foster care system. Make additional recommendations to ensure children with high levels of medical or mental health needs receive timely access to services in the least restrictive setting; • Efforts to transfer case management of foster children and families to Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs). Monitor the progress of this transition and make recommendations to ensure the process provides continuity of services for children and families and ongoing community engagement; • Initiatives to strengthen oversight of long-term care facilities to ensure safety and improve quality for residents and clients of these entities; and • Abortion complications and other reporting legislation that was passed by the 85th Legislature. |
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Committee: | House Pensions | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Pension liabilities | Public retirement systems | State employee early retirement programs | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas County and District Retirement System | Texas Municipal Retirement System | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.85 P387 | |
Session: | 85th R.S. (2017) | |
Online version: | View report [46 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review the state's oversight of pension systems and study the effectiveness of corrective mechanisms, including the Funding Soundness Restoration Plan and Pension Review Board Funding Guidelines. Make recommendations to enhance state oversight and to maintain or achieve soundness among local pension systems. | |
2. | Evaluate the governance structures, including investment oversight, of the Employee Retirement System (ERS), Teacher Retirement System (TRS), Texas Municipal Retirement System, Texas County and District Retirement System, and Texas Emergency Services Retirement System. Identify best practices and make recommendations to strengthen oversight within the systems. | |
3. | Review and evaluate health incentive programs within the group benefit programs at ERS and TRS. Identify best practices among similar programs and barriers to implementation. Make recommendations for achieving further savings through existing and/or new programs. | |
4. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature. | |
Committee: | House Pensions | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Financial investments | Governmental Accounting Standards Board | Law enforcement | Pension liabilities | Pension Review Board, Texas | Public retirement systems | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.84 P387 | |
Session: | 84th R.S. (2015) | |
Online version: | View report [16 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the impact that fluctuations in global financial markets have had on public pension funds. Analyze assumed rates of return on investments, structures among asset classes, long-term and shorter-term investment goals, and make appropriate recommendations to ensure the investment structure of public pension funds are meeting fiduciary responsibilities. | |
2. | Examine Texas pension funds’ compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Financial Reporting Statements 67 and 68, and identify the effect the reporting requirements are having on the state's pension systems. | |
3. | Examine the immediate and long-term fiscal impact to the state of the unfunded liabilities for the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOS) as part of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Make appropriate legislative recommendations. | |
4. | Examine the fiscal and policy impacts of structural reforms that would increase state public pension plans' ability to achieve and maintain actuarial soundness. Evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of utilizing one-time funding increases to reduce or eliminate unfunded liabilities. | |
5. | Evaluate the investment performance benchmarks utilized by the state's pension funds and the impact portfolio diversification and short- and long-term market assumptions have had on achieving expected investment returns. Analyze the fee structure and investment strategy for various investment classes to ensure the costs are reasonable and competitive versus other large public and private pension trust funds. | |
6. | Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementing of relevant legislation passed by the 84th 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. | |
Committee: | House Public Health | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Cancer | Communicable diseases | Contraceptives | Diabetes | Disease management | Disease prevention | Emergency communications | Emergency management | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Family planning | Healthy Texas Women | Heart disease | Infant mortality | Kidney disease | Obesity | Pregnancy | Premature infants | Prenatal care | Public health | Respiratory diseases | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Telemedicine | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.84 H349h | |
Session: | 84th R.S. (2015) | |
Online version: | View report [45 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study and assess the state’s preparedness for public health threats and emergencies including responding to natural disasters and highly infectious diseases. Review current protocols and examine public health resources to determine if they are sufficient. Identify weaknesses within the public health response framework and make recommendations for improvements. | |
2. | Study the impact of chronic disease in Texas and identify the major regional chronic health challenges. Review the types of health data collected by the state related to chronic disease and how the data is utilized to improve health care. Study state programs targeting chronic disease, including the Texas Health Improvement Network, and identify the direct and indirect costs associated with obesity, tobacco, and other related chronic health conditions including impacts to Medicaid, Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, University of Texas System, and Texas A&M University System. Identify public health interventions for chronic disease and preventative healthcare services that improve health outcomes and reduce cost. | |
3. | Examine the history of telemedicine in Texas and the adequacy of the technological infrastructure for use between Texas healthcare providers. Review the benefits of using telemedicine in rural and underserved areas and current reimbursement practices. Explore opportunities to expand and improve the delivery of healthcare and identify methods to increase awareness by provider groups, including institutions of higher education, and payers of telemedicine activities being reimbursed in Texas. | |
4. | Review programs focused on improving birth outcomes including evaluating the effectiveness and identifying any cost avoidance associated with them. Study barriers pregnant women face enrolling in services and receiving regular prenatal care. Identify factors, including substance abuse, associated with preterm birth and review services available for mothers postpartum. | |
5. | Study the trauma system in the State of Texas including financing, service delivery, planning, and coordination between Emergency Medical Services providers, Trauma Services Area Regional Advisory Councils, The Emergency Medical Task Force, and hospitals. Determine strengths and weaknesses including challenges for rural areas of the state. Make recommendations to reduce any duplicated services, improve the coordination of services, and advance the delivery of trauma services in Texas. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Appropriations) | |
6. | Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementing of relevant legislation passed by the 84th 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 Public Health | |
Title: | Committee meeting handouts and testimony, April 5, 2016 (Interim charge, Chronic Disease) | |
Library Call Number: | ||
Session: | 84th R.S. (2015) | |
Online version: | View document [145 pages File size: 6,864 kb] | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Campus carry | Eminent domain | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Ethics Commission, Texas | Ethics complaints | Freedom of religion | Government ethics | Guardianship | Guns | Judge salaries | Judicial selection | Military personnel | Open carry | Organized labor | Police chiefs | Public Integrity Unit | Public retirement systems | Religious conservatives (Politics) | Religious discrimination | Straight ticket voting | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Rangers (Law enforcement) | Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act | Voting systems | Weapons | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.84 St29a | |
Session: | 84th R.S. (2015) | |
Online version: | View report [70 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Religious Liberty: Examine measures to affirm 1st Amendment religious liberty protections in Texas, along with the relationship between local ordinances and state and federal law. Make recommendations to ensure that the government does not force individuals, organizations or businesses to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs. | |
2. | Union Dues: Examine the practice of using public funds and employees for the payment processing of union dues. Make recommendations on whether Texas should end this practice. | |
3. | Chief Law Enforcement Officers: Examine whether there are chief law enforcement officers within the state who deny NFA applications without any cause. Examine the application and certification process and recommend ways to eliminate no-cause denials. | |
4. | Judicial Matters: Examine the need to adjust Texas judicial salaries to attract, maintain, and support a qualified judiciary capable of meeting the current and future needs of Texas and its citizens. Study and recommend whether Texas should delink legislators' standard service retirement annuities from district judge salaries. Examine the effect of eliminating straight-party voting for candidates for judicial office and make recommendations to ensure candidates are given individual consideration by voters. | |
5. | Eminent Domain: Gather and review data on the compensation provided to private property owners for property purchased or taken by entities with eminent domain authority. Examine the variance, if any, between the offers and the fair market values of properties taken through eminent domain. Make recommendations to ensure property owners are fairly compensated. | |
6. | Ethics: Review current ethics laws governing public officials and employees and recommend changes necessary to inspire the public’s confidence in a transparent and ethically principled government. Review public officials’ reporting requirements to the Texas Ethics Commission. Examine the categorization of ethics reporting violations and make recommendations to encourage accurate reporting and timely correction to inadvertent clerical errors. | |
7. | Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs during the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) Implementation of open and campus carry legislation and determine if the current laws regulating the places that handguns can be carried are easily understood or if clarification is needed to ensure the average citizen understands when, where, and under what circumstances it is lawful to carry a weapon, versus when it is a criminal offense for which there may be a defense; 2) Requirements for guardianships; 3) The electronic voting program for certain military members serving overseas; 4) Changes made to the Employment Retirement System regarding member contributions and proposed reforms to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; and 5) The establishment of a public integrity unit under the authority of Texas Rangers. | |
Committee: | Senate Government Organization | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Council on Competitive Government | Electronic security | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Facilities Commission, Texas | Information Resources, Texas Department of | Library & Archives Commission, Texas State | Lottery Commission, Texas | State agencies | State agency mandated reports | State government contracts | State purchasing | United Healthcare | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.83 G747o | |
Session: | 83rd R.S. (2013) | |
Online version: | View report [200 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Examine state agencies’ mandated reporting practices, the necessity and utility of these reports, and reporting processes to the legislature and to the public. Make recommendations on eliminating unnecessary and duplicative reports, reducing state costs through the use of technology, and improving transparency to the legislature and citizens. | |
2. | Review and recommend improvements to state agency training, policies, and procedures for monitoring and reporting performance of state contracts, including a review of exemptions to state contracting oversight. | |
3. | Monitor the implementation of SB 1597, relating to the development of state agency information security plans to improve the security of agency information systems and to proactively protect the state against cybercrime and similar security threats. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Biometric identification | Cellular telephones | DNA databases | e-government | Electronic surveillance | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health care costs | Health care navigators | Health insurance exchanges | Health insurance pools | Legislature, Texas | Medical billing | Patents | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Personally identifiable information | Privacy | Rules of the Texas Senate | Search warrants | Searches and seizures | Small businesses | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Legislature Online | Texas Mutual Insurance | Websites | Workers' compensation | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.83 St29a | |
Session: | 83rd R.S. (2013) | |
Online version: | View report [128 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Examine the negative economic impact on Texas business from legal issues involving threatened and actual patent litigation by "patent assertion entities" (PAEs). Consider the effects of PAE actions on innovation and economic development in Texas, paying particular attention to threats and lawsuits involving software and technology patent claims. Make recommendations on how the State of Texas can address problems related to frivolous legal actions and unsubstantiated patent claims asserted against legitimate business enterprises in light of the relevant federal jurisdiction, laws, regulations, and court rules in patent cases. | |
2. | Examine possible measures to protect the personal privacy of Texas residents from governmental and commercial surveillance, including: (1) any necessary limits on warrantless search and seizure of data from electronic devices and wireless providers, including digital content and geolocational data; (2) any necessary protections against non-consented video and audio recordings collected by private handheld and wearable mobile devices and other private surveillance; and (3) any necessary limits on warrantless monitoring of the physical location of individuals through the use of biometrics, RFID chips, facial recognition, or other technologies. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states. | |
3. | Review the types and scope of personal data collected by governmental and commercial entities and consider methods to minimize the government’s collection of data on its citizens. The study should include: (1) whether sufficient protections exist for DNA samples and information, including whether there should be a prohibition on the creation of DNA databases, except for felons and sex offenders; (2) methods to protect the privacy of gun owners from aggregated purchasing pattern tracking; (3) mechanisms to ensure that private health care information is properly protected; and (4) ways to ensure that previously anonymous data is not improperly re-identified and marketed. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states. | |
4. | Examine possible reforms designed to increase citizens' ability to know what data is being collected about them by governmental andcommercial entities and with whom that data is being shared, including an analysis of consumer informed consent. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states. | |
5. | Study the online legislative resources available to the public from Texas Senate Committee websites and compare esources to those provided by other state legislative committees in Texas and other states. Determine how Texas Senate websites can be improved to provide a more interactive and transparent government. | |
6. | Study the emerging negative impacts of the Federal Affordable Care Act, including the use of navigators, and make recommendations to mitigate any unintended consequences including rising health insurance premiums, lack of access to healthcare, mishandling of Texans' private information by insufficiently-trained navigators, and the Act’s overall effect on Texas employers and insurance consumers. Evaluate free-market alternatives to the Act, including state-led proposals to repeal, reduce or replace the Act. Closely monitor and make recommendations on the continuation of the Texas Health Insurance Pool. | |
7. | Study and make recommendations on increasing medical price transparency in Texas, including studying the impact of SB 1731, 80th Legislative Session. Analyze relevant reforms considered or implemented in other states, and make recommendations regarding potential changes designed to create a more open marketplace for enhanced consumer decision making in Texas. | |
8. | Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Employees Retirement System (ERS). | |
9. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. | |
10. | Study and make recommendations relative to the structure of Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the residual market for workers’ compensation insurance in Texas. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Consumer credit and debt | Eminent domain | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Federal government | Firefighters | Forest Service, Texas A&M | Health insurance | Health insurance exchanges | Liability | Medicaid | Military personnel | Municipalities | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Peace officers | Primary elections | Property rights | Public retirement systems | Public Safety, Texas Department of | State employee benefits | State employee turnover | States' rights | Statutes of limitation | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Wildfires | Workers' compensation | Zoning | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.82 St29a | |
Session: | 82nd R.S. (2011) | |
Online version: | View report [177 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the policies and actions the State can pursue to preserve state authority and protect Texas citizens from federal overreach in the form of conditional federal grants, conditional federal preemption, and excessive legislation and regulation interfering with states' enumerated powers by Congress. | |
2. | Examine the Texas Workers' Compensation system and make recommendations for changes to meet the needs of Texas employers and employees. Specifically, review the following:
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3. | Study the feasibility and fiscal impact to consumers of altering the insurance code to allow for the purchase of health insurance across state lines. | |
4. | Monitor the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on insurance regulations, Medicaid and CHIP, health care outcomes and overall health of all Texans, and the state budget in Texas. Additionally, monitor the current constitutional challenges to PPACA and other court cases associated with PPACA, and ensure that the state does not expend any resources until judicial direction is clear. (Joint charge with Senate Health & Human Services Committee) | |
5. | Study and make recommendations on statutory provisions and judicial decisions relating to the statute of limitations on a cause of action relating to consumer debt. | |
6. | Examine establishing a workforce retention program or deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned peace officers and whether any plan can be built with actuarially sustainable factors while meeting the needs of officers. | |
7. | Examine the feasibility of implementing Health Reimbursement Accounts and Medicare exchanges for Medicare eligible participants currently covered by and receiving health coverage through the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M University. Identify any cost savings to the state and to retirees that would occur under such a plan. | |
8. | Consider the costs and benefits of the creation of liability protection for private companies and individuals when commissioned by the Texas Forest Service to assist in fighting a fire that is not on the company's or individual's own land. Examine whether state policy should prohibit an employer from terminating an employee who is a volunteer firefighter on the grounds that the employee missed work because the employee was responding to an emergency. Identify any appropriate limitations that should apply to such a policy. | |
9. | Examine the effectiveness of the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act (Chapter 2007, Government Code), and whether it should apply to municipalities. | |
10. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
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Committee: | House Public Health | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Public Health, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Diet and nutrition | Emergency management | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Food safety | H1N1 virus | Health care | Health care costs | Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome | Influenza | Medicaid | Obesity | Parents | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.81 H349h | |
Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
Online version: | View report [84 pages File size: 854 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Monitor implementation of legislation intended to curb rising obesity rates in Texas. Study and make recommendations regarding better coordination of prevention efforts and evidence-based strategies to reduce the impact of obesity on health care costs. Include recommendations related to the use of federal stimulus funds targeted toward obesity prevention. | |
2. | Study the state's ability to respond to the H1N1 virus. Examine issues related to vaccine and antiviral distribution and capacity, disease surveillance, communication with providers and the public, intergovernmental cooperation, and medical surge capability. | |
3. | Determine how the state can best coordinate efforts to streamline health care delivery with health information technology (HIT). Identify areas in state law that affect the adoption and use of HIT. Recommend statutory changes as necessary. | |
4. | Identify factors influencing health care cost trends in Texas, including practices or policies that may contribute to regional variations. Investigate medical imaging utilization and its impact on the cost and quality of health care. Recommend policy changes to promote best practices, reduce costs, and improve quality within the state Medicaid program, Employees Retirement System, and Teacher Retirement System. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations | |
5. | Examine the need for and barriers to implementing routine HIV screenings as recommended in 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assess the impact of implementation on HIV transmission, health outcomes, clinical progression, and mortality. | |
6. | Pursuant to HB 1672, 81st R.S., Section 4, study the policies and procedures related to the disclosure required by Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code, to the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a newborn child. | |
7. | Identify any gaps in Texas laws that may prevent coordinated efforts, both statewide and on the border, to ensure a safe food supply. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs | |
8. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report to the 82nd Legislature | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Financial investments | Fraud | Health care | Health care costs | Health insurance | Hospitals | Insurance agents | Insurance rates | Medically uninsured | Military personnel | Open government | Open Meetings Act, Texas | Public Information Act, Texas | Senior citizens | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter registration | Voters | Voting by mail | Voting systems | Workers' compensation | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.81 ST29a | |
Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
Online version: | View report [248 pages File size: 24,817 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry, study the implications of such legislation on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee) | |
2. | Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System. Assess the effectiveness of pilot programs designed to encourage the use of clinical integration, payments for good outcomes, use of best practices, focus on wellness and prevention, and bundling of costs for episodes of care, and other health care savings initiatives. Make recommendations for expanding the pilot programs for use across all private and state sponsored health care, including the Medicaid program, as a means to improve Texans' health and provide more effective care that allows for assistance for the uninsured. (SB 7, SB 8 and SB 10, 81st Legislature) | |
3. | Study the implementation of the Healthy Texas program enacted by the 81st Legislature and the ongoing implementation of SB 1731, 80th Legislature, to determine if this program is effectively lowering health insurance costs and increasing access to health insurance for small business. Study and make recommendations about using this program to increase access to health insurance for sole proprietors. Review other states efforts to lower health care costs to small business owners and sole proprietors and incentivize small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase insurance. | |
4. | Examine best practices for increasing the affordability and availability of health insurance in the individual and small group market, including medical underwriting practices, rescission of coverage, cancellation of coverage, rate regulation, and reporting of medical loss ratios. | |
5. | Study how increased out-of-pocket costs for medications and treatment impact consumers' compliance with health care recommendations and how that response impacts overall health care costs. Review available research into value design programs. | |
6. | Study ways to improve the efficiency and accuracy of voter registration rolls, including the feasibility and security of online registration and automatic registration and the accuracy of verification and purging of voters. Recommend ways to ensure that deceased or otherwise ineligible voters are not included on rolls while also ensuring that all eligible applicants are efficiently registered. | |
7. | Study the transparency of organizational structures, policies and coverage associated with health insurance underwriters/agents and the relationship between underwriters/agents and policyholders. | |
8. | Study the sale of annuities in Texas, particularly to seniors. Evaluate the requirements relating to rescission of an annuity contract, payment of surrender fees, return of money, contract forms, including a standard contract form, buyer's guide, agent's commission and disclosure of an agent's commission. Make recommendations for legislation, if needed, and consider whether the insurance commissioner by rule may limit an agent's commission. | |
9. | Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured's and under-insured's access to hospital health care services, on the uninsured's and underinsured's economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary. | |
10. | Study the adequacy of workers' compensation benefits in the following categories: lifetime income benefits, wage benefits for the high wage earner, and workers whose wage benefits stop before Social Security benefits begin. In order to determine the impact of increased benefits in one or more of these categories, work with the Texas Department of Insurance to develop a publicly accessible model to predict the costs related to those enhanced benefits, the effect of those costs on workers' compensation premiums, and whether enrollment in the workers' compensation system will be adversely impacted by increasing the benefits in one or more of the stated categories. | |
11. | Study whether subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies should be limited or prohibited. Study the effect on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited. Consider the feasibility of developing a publicly accessible model to predict the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, if subrogation claims by writers of workers' compensation policies are limited or prohibited, while protecting confidentiality as required by law and study whether the impact on workers' compensation premiums, if any, would adversely impact enrollment in the workers' compensation system. | |
12. | Study and make recommendations regarding access to voting by members of the military serving in the United States and abroad, including the feasibility of electronic delivery of ballots. | |
13. | Study the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act to ensure that government continues to operate in a way that is open and transparent. The study should consider how advances in technology and the emergence of various forms of social media (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter) have affected communications by and within governmental bodies. | |
14. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 81 st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. | |
Committee: | Senate Finance | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report | |
Subjects: | Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Financial investments | Frew lawsuits | Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Health insurance | Health insurance premium subsidies | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Highway finance | Investment of public funds | Iran | Medicaid | Medical reimbursements | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | State agency budgets | State government debt | State Health Services, Texas Department of | State supported living centers | Sudan | Tax incentives | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Southern University | Transportation, Texas Department of | Youth Commission, Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.80 F49 | |
Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
Online version: | View report [46 pages File size: 698 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Provide effective budget oversight of state agencies to ensure that monies appropriated are spent wisely. Particular areas of focus will include the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of State Health Services coordination of Mental Health Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department revitalization of State Parks, Health and Human Services Commission management of Frew settlement agreement and waiting list slots, Department of Aging and Disability Services improvement of State Schools, Texas Department of Criminal Justice roll out of treatment programs and review of the salary career ladder for employees for retention purposes, Texas Youth Commission achievement of reform, Texas Southern University rehabilitation, Higher Education Coordinating Board implementation of incentive programs and the creation of the Texas Cancer Research and Prevention Institute. | |
2. | Evaluate the effectiveness of existing state tax incentives that encourage employers to provide health coverage to their employees, including tax incentives under the revised state business tax, and make recommendations for additional deductions or credits that increase the number of employees covered by health care insurance. | |
3. | Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate State Affairs Committee) | |
4. | Review Medicaid provider reimbursement rate methodologies, including the impact of factors such as infrastructure concerns, federal minimum wage changes, and cost reports. Study the impact on access to care, quality of care, and value, and make recommendations for legislative changes, taking into account rate increases contained in the current budget. (Joint charge with Senate Health and Human Services Committee) | |
5. | Study and review state and local options for expanding transportation funding and explore options to reduce diversions of Fund 6 revenue. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security) | |
6. | Study and make recommendations relating to whether the Texas Department of Transportation is in compliance with Transportation Code §201.109, Revenue Enhancement, and whether the Texas Department of Transportation is using the funding sources provided by the Legislature, including, but not limited to, General Obligation, Fund 6 and Mobility Fund bonds, to build new roads. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security) | |
7. | Monitor and provide a brief update on the implementation of legislation addressed by the Finance Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve or enhance and complete implementation.
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Committee: | House Pensions and Investments | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Houston Municipal Employees Pension System | Peace officers | Pension liabilities | Prescription drug costs | Prescription drugs | Public retirement systems | Retire/Rehire | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Texas Municipal Retirement System | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.80 P387 | |
Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
Online version: | View report [64 pages File size: 12,741 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state and employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities. | |
2. | Explore options for funding other post-employment benefits, and examine strategies employed by other governmental entities in addressing these obligations. | |
3. | Study the impact of actuaries on public pension plans, and evaluate the need for legislation to ensure appropriate actuarial assumptions, actuarial audits or regulation of actuaries contracting with state pension plans. | |
4. | Analyze the impact of allowing a retiree to return to work in the Texas Municipal Retirement System. | |
5. | Assess the representational proportion of each of the stakeholder groups, eligibility requirements, qualifications, and selection and election procedures of the board of trustees of the retirement systems. | |
6. | Examine eligibility criteria for membership and possible inclusion of additional employees in the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officers Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF). Evaluate the effect of diversion of funds from the auto registration fee on the unfunded liability of the LECOSRF, and explore the possibility of creating a similar supplemental retirement program as part of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas for those members performing law enforcement duties. | |
7. | Evaluate and make recommendations, if necessary, regarding state contracts with pharmacy benefit managers. Assess the feasibility of combining prescription drug programs of state health insurance programs. All recommendations should take into consideration any budgetary impacts. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Government Reform.) | |
8. | Examine the operation of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System, its Board of Trustees and staff. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Urban Affairs.) | |
9. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Eight-liners | Election fraud | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Entergy Corporation | Gambling | Health care costs | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Investment of public funds | Legislative intent | Medical research | Medically uninsured | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Privatization | Public retirement systems | Statutory revision | Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Lottery | Tort reform | Voter identification | Voting systems | Workers' compensation | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.80 St29a | |
Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
Online version: | View report [308 pages File size: 43,740 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the factors that impact the transparency and efficiency of the health insurance market. Make recommendation to result in the use of best practices, lower health care costs, and better health outcomes, including the following:
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2. | Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of uninsured Texans, focusing on the following:
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3. | Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, including the current eligibility for coverage requirements, the economic profiles of participants and former participants, the affordability of the insurance products’ premiums and deductibles, and the public's awareness of the Pool. | |
4. | Study the issue of security and accuracy in Texas elections. The study should include the benefits and risks of electronic voting technology, including the necessity of maintaining a paper record of each electronic vote. The study should also include an analysis of fraud in Texas elections, including prosecution rates for voter fraud, the processes for purging ineligible voters from voter lists, and the integrity of the mail-in and provisional ballot systems. Study the effectiveness of electronic voting technology and voter ID laws in other states. Monitor the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, including the implementation of the Texas Election Administration Management system. Recommend statutory and regulatory changes designed to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to vote in Texas elections and that each vote is accurately counted. | |
5. | Review and make recommendations for requiring insurance coverage of routine medical care for patients with a life-threatening disease or condition who have elected to participate in a clinical trial. | |
6. | Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas. | |
7. | Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement 2nd of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes. | |
8. | Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 79th R.S., by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system. | |
9. | Study and make recommendations to reduce illegal gambling in Texas, including, but not limited to, the illegal use of Eight-Liners. | |
10. | Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of phasing in a defined-contribution pension for future employees versus the existing defined-benefit pension plan. Study options for transition or implementation issues and how the phase-in could be structured. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities. | |
11. | Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the quality of health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint charge with Senate Criminal Justice Committee) | |
12. | Review and evaluate appropriate state regulation of a private operator of the state lottery should the state receive bids for a lease of the lottery that merit strong consideration. Provide recommendations for ensuring the security and integrity of the lottery and for adequate consumer protections. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee) | |
13. | Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee) | |
14. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the State Affairs Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. In particular, monitor and report on the effect of HB 2365, 80th R.S., which allows public entities to report "other post employment benefits" (OPEBs) on a statutory modified accrual basis, including any effect on auditor opinions, bond ratings, or other fiscal issues. Monitor the implementation of SB 1731, 80th R.S., relating to transparency of health information, and SB 1846, 80th R.S., relating to TRS. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report to the 80th Legislature | |
Subjects: | Child Protective Services | Election fraud | Emergency medical services | Eminent domain | Employees | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Employment | Health care costs | Health maintenance organizations | Liability | Lobbyists | Medical bill balance billing | Privatization | Public retirement systems | State mandated health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter identification | Voting by mail | Workers' compensation | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.79 St29a | |
Session: | 79th R.S. (2005) | |
Online version: | View report [211 pages File size: 6,521 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the Employees Retirement System of Texas ("ERS") including the actuarial soundness of the ERS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the ERS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the ERS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency. | |
2. | Study the Teachers Retirement System of Texas ("TRS") including the actuarial soundness of the TRS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the TRS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the implementation of SB 1370, 79th R.S.; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the TRS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency | |
3. | Study and make recommendations on how election officials could verify the identity of a voter without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots. | |
4. | Monitor the implementation of HB 7, 79th R.S., relating to the workers compensation system of this state. | |
5. | Study the regulation and management of health care plans, including the following:
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6. | Study and review current law on the doctrine of eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v. City of New London. Monitor the implementation of SB 7, 79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and make any necessary recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate compensation for property taken through the use of eminent domain.
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7. | Study the costs associated with mandates to insurance companies for increased coverage for specific illnesses, medical conditions, or diseases, including obesity. Provide a cost assessment of the impact of such mandates to the state and local units of government. Include data and analysis of the costs and medical impact associated with insurance mandates which have been enacted in other states, as well as any short- and long-term cost-savings. Develop recommendations on how to provide increased cost-effective coverage, especially to populations with impairments and diseases, as well as the underinsured/uninsured. | |
8. | Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds. | |
9. | Study and make recommendations regarding the cost drivers of emergency medical services. Make recommendations on how to improve and sustain EMS services for Texas, as well as reduce costs to health care plans, businesses, and individuals. | |
10. | Study and review current Texas law on the doctrine of statutory employer, including the 2004 First District Court of Appeals' decision in Etie v. Walsh & Albert Co. and make recommendations of changes in state laws, if necessary, regarding the doctrine of statutory employer and indemnification in construction contracts. Study the current use of Consolidated Insurance Programs and make legislative recommendations, if appropriate. | |
11. | Assess the benefit of limiting the civil liability for noneconomic damages against non-profit organizations involved in the privatization of child welfare services. | |
Committee: | Senate Finance | |
Title: | Interim Report - General Budget and Tax Issues | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report of the Senate Finance Committee : recommendations to the 79th Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Fire Fighter's Pension Commissioner | Judicial Retirement System of Texas | Public retirement systems | Rainy Day Fund | State budget certification | State budgets | State government debt | Tax revenue | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 F49 v. 1 | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [355 pages File size: 15,793 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | General Budget Oversight. Monitor state agency implementation of HB 1, 78th R.S., by reviewing key strategies, programs, and rider provisions. | |
2. | Revenue Oversight. Monitor and track the Texas' key revenue sources. Develop recommendations to keep the Legislature apprised of key revenue source activity throughout the duration of this and future fiscal biennia. | |
3. | General Budget and Tax Issues Rainy Day Fund. Track the history of appropriations out of and deposits of revenue into the Texas' rainy day fund. Monitor FY 2004-2005 deposits of revenue to the fund. As needed, make recommendations on how to improve revenue sources and the manner in which the fund can be spent. Pension Fund Review. Report on the current condition of the state's pension systems, including an analysis of unfunded liabilities. Make recommendations, as necessary, to ensure Texas meets its financial obligations in the future. Issuance of State Bonds. Review the role of the Public Finance Authority and the Bond Review Board in the issuance of state bonds, and make recommendations, as necessary, for improvements. Budget Certification. Study the budget certification process. Make recommendations on how to improve the process of certifying the state budget by the Comptroller of Public Accounts. General Appropriations Act Bill Pattern Review. Review effectiveness of current and past bill patterns, and make recommendations, as necessary, for improvements. | |
Committee: | House Pensions and Investments | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the Legislature | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Public retirement systems | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 P387 | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [25 pages File size: 78 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Examine the feasibility, risks and benefits associated with the use of Pension Obligation Bonds in order to reduce unfunded liabilities in municipal and state retirement systems. | |
2. | Study the risks, benefits and impact associated with the "retire in place" practice as it relates to the Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, County and District Retirement System, and Municipal Retirement System. | |
3. | Monitor agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and legislation passed by the 78th Legislature. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report to the 79th Legislature | |
Subjects: | Border health | Damage award caps | Election administration | Election laws | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Liability insurance | Managed care | Medical liability insurance | Medically uninsured | Nursing homes | Patients' rights | Quality of care | Rural health care | State employee benefits | State mandated health insurance | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Tort reform | Voter registration | Voting systems | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 St29a | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [0 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the implementation of changes made to the state group health insurance plans and identify additional cost-saving measures. Study the feasibility and practicality of offering health reimbursement accounts as an alternate health insurance plan for those insured in ERS, TRS, and university plans. Provide recommendations regarding whether the current method of administering these programs is in the best interest of the State of Texas and the various insured populations, or whether such programs might be more efficiently administered in another fashion. | |
2. | Monitor the implementation of HB 1549, 78th R.S., the Federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, to assure that Texas meets the criteria to secure the proposed federal funding. Make recommendations for statutory changes required to implement federal legislation and improve the efficiency of the process. | |
3. | Study the implementation of SB 10, 78th R.S., and SB 541, 78th R.S., and make recommendations, as needed, to make health insurance more accessible, and affordable for all Texans. | |
4. | Study the April 2003 United States Supreme Court decision in Kentucky Association of Health Plans v. Miller to determine its impact on Texas laws regulating health insurance plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and make recommendations to changes in state law to conform with recent federal court decisions. | |
5. | Study the reimbursement methodology of health care plans operating in Texas for out-of-network claims, specifically focusing upon the reimbursement of usual and customary charges, and make recommendations on how to improve their effectiveness. The study and recommendations should encompass all plans, including those participating in Texas Medicaid managed care program and should consider federal and state laws as well as Health & Human Services Commission rules relating to the reimbursement of out-of-network claims. | |
6. | Study the implementation of HB 4, 78th R.S., and Proposition 12 in achieving lower medical malpractice rates and providing more access to affordable health care. Monitor and report on trends in medical malpractice insurance rates and the effect of tort reform on access to health care and provider shortages in certain regions, particularly along the Border. | |
7. | Study and report on the affordability, reasonableness, and impact of mandatory liability insurance on the nursing home industry. Assess and report on the effects of the admissibility of quality reports. | |
Committee: | House State Health Care Expenditures, Select | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2004 : a report to the House of Representatives, 79th Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Children's Health Insurance Program | Driver Responsibility Program | Emergency medical services | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health care | Medicaid | Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program, Texas | State employee benefits | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Traffic violations | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 H35 | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [73 pages File size: 919 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Monitor the implementation of the Driver Responsibility Act in respect to the collection of associated surcharges for trauma care. Specifically evaluate the funding and distribution of funds to trauma care facilities. | |
2. | Study the effects of "crowd out" in the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid Program to determine accurate data and to ascertain if additional policy changes are needed to prevent "crowd out" of private insurance and escalating public insurance costs. | |
3. | Evaluate the funding source of the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Program and the criteria that a hospital must meet to participate in the DSH program in comparison to the balance and fairness of other state and federal funding streams. | |
4. | Study the current consumer-directed care models that are in use by the state and look at other states' consumer-directed care models that may benefit Texas in areas such as long-term health care and chronic health care. Place emphasis on the Program of All-Inclusive Care For the Elderly model to ascertain its true potential for both cost-effectiveness and improved health outcomes. Identify barriers to the model's expansion in Texas. | |
5. | Continue to identify and seek new models for the provision of health care benefits within the Employee Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System. | |
Committee: | Senate Finance | |
Title: | ERS and TRS benefit issues | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the Senate Finance Committee / Senate Finance Committee, Interim Subcommittee on ERS and TRS Benefit Issues. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | State employees | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.76 f49eb | |
Session: | 76th R.S. (1999) | |
Online version: | View report [28 pages File size: 973 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Review employee benefit issues facing the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System (TRS). The review shall include, but is not limited to, funding contingencies, projected funding needs of TRS-Care, HMO competition and the cost of providing health plans, and the issues surrounding provision of Optional Retirement System or other alternatives for state employees. The Committee shall coordinate study of this issue with the Committee on State Affairs. The final preparation of the report will be the responsibility of the Finance Committee. | |
Committee: | Senate Finance | |
Title: | Interim Report - Major state investments | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to 77th Legislature / Senate Finance Committee, Interim Subcommittee on Major State Investments. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Higher Education Assistance Fund | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | Prepaid tuition plans | Stock investments | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | TexPool | Tobacco settlement receipts | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.76 f49ms | |
Session: | 76th R.S. (1999) | |
Online version: | View report [36 pages File size: 1,863 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Examine the policies and practices used to invest major state funds including cash balances, and evaluate state investment goals and the funds' performance in reaching those goals. This examination shall include, but is not limited to, review of legal authority, ethical standards, and investment policies and safeguards, management structure, portfolio composition and identification of short-term and long-term goals. The Committee shall make recommendations identifying opportunities for improvements or innovations. | |
Committee: | House Pensions and Investments | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Pensions and Investments, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Public retirement systems | Securities Board, State | State comparisons | State employee turnover | State employees | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher shortages | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.76 p387 | |
Session: | 76th R.S. (1999) | |
Online version: | View report [79 pages File size: 162 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review the adequacy of the state's monitoring of local retirement systems. | |
2. | Evaluate the pros and cons of defined contribution retirement plans that do not guarantee members any specific level of benefits upon retirement. Plans adopted in other jurisdictions should be considered and compared with Texas' state plans in regard to their ability to provide security to retirees, cost, and fairness to diverse employee groups. | |
3. | Consider a general policy for the state regarding the re-employment of people who have retired under a state retirement plan. | |
4. | Review the need for multiple cash and reduced annuity options such as lump sum and "DROP" plans. | |
5. | Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | House Pensions and Investments | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Pensions and Investments, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Long-term care | Long-term care insurance | State employees | Stock investments | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 p387 | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Online version: | View report [54 pages File size: 2,366 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review the laws governing investments and investment practices to identify differences among them. Determine the value, if any, of making the laws more consistent with one another. | |
2. | Examine the advantages and disadvantages of offering long-term care programs for state employees and teachers. The programs should be financed entirely by members and should create no additional cost to the state or political subdivisions. | |
3. | Examine the impacts, if any, on the major funds subject to investment restrictions contained in Article IX, section 174 of HB 1, 75th R.S.. | |
4. | Examine the projected funding deficit facing the Employees Retirement System Insurance Program. | |
Committee: | Senate State Affairs, Interim | |
Title: | Interim report - ERS and TRS | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report, 1998 : a report to the State Senate, 76th Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | TRS-Care | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 st29a 1 | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Online version: | View report [69 pages File size: 2,427 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Review the policies and procedures of the Employees Retirement System and Teachers Retirement System, including payroll deductions, group insurance, long-term care, evidence of insurability, and optional retirement plans, and consider whether legislative or regulatory action is needed. | |
Committee: | House Pensions and Investments | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Committee on Pensions and Investments, Texas House of Representatives, interim report, 1996 : a report to the House of Representatives, 75th Texas Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Career and technical education | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Public retirement systems | Teacher health insurance | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | University faculty | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.74 p387 | |
Session: | 74th R.S. (1995) | |
Online version: | View report [32 pages File size: 1,323 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the Optional Retirement Program for certain personnel in higher education. | |
2. | Assess the advantages and disadvantages of allowing vocational education teachers to receive limited service credit in the Teacher Retirement System for vocational work experience. | |
3. | Monitor the implementation and assess the effectiveness of the health insurance program for active members of the Teacher Retirement System as mandated by SB 9, 74th R.S.. | |
Committee: | House Retirement and Aging | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Committee on Retirement and Aging, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Texas Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Cost of living | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Public retirement systems | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.72 r314 | |
Session: | 72nd R.S. (1991) | |
Online version: | View report [131 pages File size: 5,529 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd Regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Committee on Retirement and Aging; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes. | |
2. | Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 29. A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed. | |
3. | Consider the requirements of appropriate actuarial valuation systems necessary to assure sound retirement programs for the TRS and the ERS. | |
4. | Consider the fiduciary duty requirement imposed upon the Boards of Trustees of the TRS and the ERS by the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the nature of the authority necessary to exercise that duty. | |
5. | Consider the methods of protecting TRS and ERS members from post-retirement increases in the cost of living. | |
6. | Consider the appropriateness of current statutory restrictions for investment of the Law Enforcement and Custodial Office Supplemental Retirement Fund. Under present law, this fund may be invested only in fixed income securities. | |
7. | Consider authorizing the ERS to treat the retirement funds it manages as one fund for investment purpose only. | |
Committee: | Joint Employee Benefits, Select | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report of the Joint Select Committee on Employee Benefits to the 72nd Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health care costs | Health insurance | Teacher health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.71 em73 | |
Session: | 71st R.S. (1989) | |
Online version: | View report [162 pages File size: 6,142 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Study the administration of employee health insurance programs, including those programs administered by institutions of higher education; issues related to the state contribution to health insurance premiums; and issues relating to the structure, administration, and financing of employee retirement systems. The study shall include, but not be limited to, a review of the competitive process for the selection of health care providers, cost containment measures and their implementation, administrative or legislative actions that may have contributed to increased costs or reduced benefits in health care coverage, the interpretation and implementation of statutorily mandated uniformity of benefits, changes in the administrative structure of health insurance programs, and, in regard to retirement systems, the methodology and accuracy of actuarial analysis, the transferability of retirement benefits among systems, and the method of calculation of the state contribution to the employees' pension funds. | |
Supporting documents | ||
Committee: | Joint Employee Benefits, Select | |
Title: | Proclamation | |
Library Catalog Title: | Proclamation | |
Library Call Number: | L1800.1 p926 | |
Session: | 71st R.S. (1989) | |
Online version: | View document [1 pages File size: 120 kb] | |
Committee: | House Retirement and Aging | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Interim report, 70th Legislature / Committee on Retirement and Aging. | |
Subjects: | Affordable housing | Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Health insurance | Life insurance | Long-term care insurance | Medicaid | Medical reimbursements | Nursing homes | Nursing shortages | Public retirement systems | Senior citizens | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.70 r314 | |
Session: | 70th R.S. (1987) | |
Online version: | View report [119 pages File size: 4,409 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | To study the feasibility and cost of expansion of the shared housing program of the Texas Department of Aging. | |
2. | Study the televised advertising of health and life insurance plans aimed at the elderly population. | |
3. | To study the state retirement systems. | |
4. | To study the current and projected financial condition of the private long-term care industry and examine possible funding alternatives, including the feasibility of tax deductible payments for nursing home care. | |
5. | To study the costs and benefits of expanding internal administration of real estate investments in comparison to engaging outside real estate advisors by the Teachers Retirement System. | |
Committee: | House Public Retirement Systems, Select | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature : report of the / Select Committee on Public Retirement Systems, Texas House of Representatives. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Judicial Retirement System of Texas | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.67 r314 | |
Session: | 67th R.S. (1981) | |
Online version: | View report [141 pages File size: 4,610 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Study the direction being taken by the retirement systems covering public employees in Texas, and the effect of the systems upon employees and taxpayers. The following issues should be among those addressed:
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Committee: | Senate Investment Practices of State Funds, Investigation | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Investment practices of the Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Permanent University Fund : a report to the 57th Legislature pursuant to Senate Resolution no. 566, 56th Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Fund management | Investment of public funds | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.56 UN3 | |
Session: | 56th R.S. (1959) | |
Online version: | View report [86 pages File size: 3,431 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | The committee shall have full powers to investigate in any manner deemed advisable by said Committee, the investment practices, purchases, and handling of the funds of the Teacher Retirement System, the Permanent School Fund, the Employees Retirement Fund, and the University of Texas Fund. |
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