Plano Chamber Public Policy Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE The Plano Chamber Public Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 15th 2020 at 8:00 am at the Chamber offices. All members are welcome to attend and hear updates on a variety of issues such as transportation, education, economic development, higher education, and more. CLICK HERE for more information to register.

2020 DC FLY-IN Collin County Chambers come together to better educate ourselves on issues that are important to our members – issues like trade, education, and healthcare. We also strive to build better relationships and have face-to-face contact with those that are elected to serve us in DC. CLICK HERE for more information and to reserve your hotel room. More details forthcoming. For sponsorship opportunities contact Cassie Ram by email at [email protected].

2020 PRIMARY ELECTIONS

Candidate Filing Deadline – December 9 th was the deadline for candidates to file in the 2020 Primary Elections. A total of 620 candidates filed in Texas Senate, Texas House, and Texas Congressional districts.  2020 Senate Primary Elections 1 Incumbent Member of the Texas Senate is Not Seeking Re-election: Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) 10 Incumbent Senate Members have Only General Election Opposition: Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury); Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway); Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe); Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton); Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen); Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola); Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham); Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound); Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood); and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) 2 Incumbent Senators have Both Primary and General Election Opposition: Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville); and Borris Miles (D-Houston) 3 Incumbent Senators Have No Major Party Opposition: Carol Alvarado (D-Houston); Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio); and Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) 2020 House Primary Elections 13 Incumbent Members of the Texas House are Not Seeking Re-election: Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso); Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston); Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton); Jessica Farrar (D-Houston); Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio); Eric Johnson (D-Dallas); Mike Lang (R-Granbury); Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land); Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass); Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford); John Wray (R-Waxahachie); Bill Zedler (R-Arlington); and John Zerwas (R-Fulshear)   14 Incumbents have Only Primary Election Opposition: Alma Allen (D-Houston); Garnet Coleman (D-Houston); Drew Darby (R-San Angelo); Alex Dominguez (D-Brownsville); Dan Huberty (R-Humble); Jarvis Johnson (D-Houston); Tracy King (D-Batesville); Eddie Lucio, III (D-San Benito); Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria); Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D-Mission); Chris Paddie (R-Marshall); J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville); Shawn Thierry (D-Houston); and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) 72 Incumbents have Only General Election Opposition: Steve Allison (R-San Antonio); Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas); Charles “Doc” Anderson (R-Waco); Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin); Cecil Bell, Jr. (R-Magnolia); Kyle Biedermann (R-Fredericksburg); Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood); Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D-Rowlett); Brad Buckley (R-Killeen); John Bucy (D-Austin); DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne); Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock); Angie Chen Button (R-Garland); Gina Calanni (D-Houston); Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller); Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches); Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio); John Cyrier (R-Lockhart); Sarah Davis (R-Houston); Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont); John Frullo (R-Lubbock); Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio); Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth); Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin); Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City); Sam Harless (R-Spring); Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant); Abel Herrero (D-Robstown); Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin); Justin Holland (R-Health); Donna Howard (D-Austin); Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi); Celia Israel (D-Austin); Julie Johnson (D-Carrollton); Phil King (R-Weatherford); Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth); Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth); John Kuempel (R-Seguin); Stan Lambert (R-Abilene); Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio); Jeff Leach (R-Plano); Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas); Terry Meza (D-Irving); Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville); Joe Moody (D-El Paso); Christina Morales (D-Houston); Jim Murphy (R-Houston); Andrew Murr (R-Junction); Victoria Neave (D-Dallas); Candy Noble (R-Sachse); Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress); Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio); Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound); Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston); Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Richardson); John Raney (R-College Station); Ramon Romero (D-Fort Worth); Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston); Scott Sanford (R-McKinney); Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler); Matt Shaheen (R-Plano); Reggie Smith (R-Sherman); Drew Springer (R-Muenster); Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger); Valoree Swanson (R-Spring); James Talarico (D-Round Rock); Ed Thompson (R-Pearland); Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington); Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands); John Turner (D-Dallas); Hubert Vo (D-Alief); and Terry Wilson (R-Marble Falls) 13 Incumbents have Both Primary and General Election Opposition: Michelle Beckley (D-Carrollton); Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park); Harold Dutton (D-Houston); Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio); Dan Flynn (R-Van); Bobby Guerra (D-Mission); Jarod Patterson (R-Frisco); Dennis Paul (R-Webster); Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City); Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin); Carl Sherman, Jr. (D-De Soto); Phil Stephenson (R-Wharton); and Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) 38 Incumbents Have No Major Party Opposition: Ernest Bailes (R-Shephard); Keith Bell (R-Forney); Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio); Terry Canales (D-Edinburg); Sheryl Cole (D-Austin); Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth); Tom Craddick (R-Midland); Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas); Jay Dean (R-Longview); Art Fierro (D-El Paso); James Frank (R-Wichita Falls); Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth); Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas); Mary Edna Gonzalez (D-El Paso); Cody Harris (R-Palestine); Ana Hernandez (D-Houston); Kyle Kacal (R-College Station); Ken King (R-Canadian); Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa); Ben Leman (R-Brenham); Oscar Longoria (D-Mission); Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio); J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville); Mando Martinez (D- Weslaco); Will Metcalf (R-Conroe); Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio); Evelina “Lina” Ortiz (D-El Paso); Dade Phelan (R-Nederland); Four Price (R-Amarillo); Richard Pena Raymond (D-Laredo); Toni Rose (D-Dallas); Hugh Shine (R-Temple); John Smithee (R-Amarillo); Chris Turner (R-Arlington); Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston); Armando Lucio Walle (D-Houston); James White (R-Woodville); and Gene Wu (D-Houston)

CONGRESS

2020 Congressional Primary Elections 6 Incumbent Members of Congress are Not Seeking Re-election: Mike Conaway (R-Midland); Bill Flores (R-Bryan); Will Hurd (R-Helotes); Kenny Marchant (R-Carrollton); Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land); and Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) 12 Incumbents have Only General Election Opposition: Collin Allred (D-Dallas); Michael Cloud (R-Victoria); Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston); Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso); Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D-Houston); Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston); Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen); Michael McCaul (R-Austin); John Ratcliffe (R-Heath); Chip Roy (R-Austin); Van Taylor (R-Plano); and Ron Wright (R-Fort Worth) 18 Incumbents have Both Primary and General Election Opposition: Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock); Brian Babin (R-Woodville); Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands); Michael Burgess (R-Denton); John Carter (R-Round Rock); Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio); Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo); Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin); Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler); Lance Gooden (R-Terrell); Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth); Al Green (D-Houston); Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas); Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston); Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth); Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville); Randy Weber (R-Friendswood); and Roger Williams (R-Cleburne)

HOUSE

House General Investigating Committee – On December 20 th , the House General Investigating Committee met in executive session to discuss the report of the committee’s bipartisan panel of legal experts composed of former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips, and former State Representatives Patricia Gray (D-Galveston) and Will Hartnett (R-Dallas) concerning the investigation into the facts and circumstances of the June 12, 2019 meeting between Michael Quinn Sullivan, Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Representative Dustin Burrows. Then, the House General Investigating Committee reconvened and unanimously adopted that report as the committee’s final report and directed the committee’s counsel to transmit the report to each Member of the House of Representatives. The report examined provisions in the Penal Code, the Texas Constitution, the Elections Code and House rules. The findings read by Chairman Meyer at the committee hearing were: Texas Penal Code: Bribery statute or gift statute - The scope of the Penal Code is not sufficiently clear and the case authorities are too few to conclude, with any confidence, that prosecution of Bonnen and Burrows is warranted, The Texas Constitution,  Article 16, Section 41 : Bribery and the solicitation or acceptance of bribes - The report states Bonnen’s actions could be included under the broad category of prohibited actions, which are described as “the constitutional prohibition against a member soliciting directly or indirectly for himself, or for another, anything of value or of personal advantage or promise thereof, for his professional influence.” Texas Elections Code:  Title 15, Chapter 572.  Personal Financial Disclosure, Standards of Conduct and Conflicts of Interest – The facts of the report do not support a prosecution for violations under Chapter 15. “As to Chapter 572 of the Texas Government Code -- personal financial disclosure, standards of conduct and conflict of interest – the report states Speaker Bonnen’s conduct likely violated Section 572.051a of the Government Code.” House Rules - The report states if Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) was correct – that Texas Scorecard is engaged in lobbying, paid advocacy, advertising, publicity or promotion work for Empower Texans’ political action committee -- then it would be a violation  House Rule 5  for Speaker Bonnen to arrange for Texas Scorecard to receive credentials. Letter to House Members - On December 27 th House Investigating Committee Chair Morgan Meyer and Vice-Chair Nicole Collier sent a letter to their colleagues in the Texas House saying, “The Committee on General Investigating adopted the report of the bipartisan panel of legal experts as the Committee’s final report on December 20, 2019. The report was sent to each of you by the Committee’s general counsel, Brittney Baldovinos. Under Section 301.020(d), Government Code, the Committee “shall make reports to members of the legislature that the committee determines are necessary and appropriate.” The Committee’s adoption and distribution of the report fulfills this statutory duty. As the adopted report has now be distributed, the House may determine what, if any, further action should be taken as it relates to violations of the Texas Constitution, any state law, or the House Rules.”

STATEWIDE

New, Renamed, and Abolished State Governmental Entities – The Texas Legislative Council released a report on New, Renamed, and Abolished State Governmental Entities reflecting actions taken by the 86 th Texas Legislature in 2019. 68 new entities were created; four entities were renamed; and 12 entities were abolished.  New Entities: Ad Hoc Committee on Guidelines for the Care of Students With Food Allergies At Risk for Anaphylaxis Advisory Committee on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking Advisory Committee on Training Regarding the Reporting of Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking Advisory Committee on Electronic Application for State Student Aid Advisory Committee on the Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Business Advisory Council Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services Compensatory Education Allotment Advisory Committee Computer Science Strategic Advisory Committee Disaster Management Information Sharing Work Group Disaster Recovery Task Force Educator Advisory Committee for Assessment Instruments Electronic Prescribing Waivers Interagency Work Group Emergency Management Personnel Training and Credentialing Work Group Governor’s Broadband Council Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council Interregional Planning Council Joint Interim Committee on the Use of Prior Authorization and Utilization Review Processes Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities K-3 Reading Standards Advisory Board Land Surveying Advisory Committee Long-Term Care Facilities Council Motor Vehicle Licensing Transition Work Group Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board Payment Fraud Fusion Center Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council Permitting Task Force Pilot Program Work Group for Improving Certain Service Delivery Models Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee Prescription Data Monitoring Advisory Committee Property Tax Administration Advisory Board Rural Hospital Advisory Committee Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force Sickle Cell Task Force Special Education Allotment Advisory Committee Stakeholder Work Group on Apprentice and Provisional Court Reporter Certification Stakeholder Work Group on Certain Disciplinary Action Against Shorthand Reporting Firms Stakeholder Work Group on the Transfer of Motor Fuel Regulatory Authority STAR Kids Managed Care Advisory Committee Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council Statewide Meta Majors Advisory Committee Statewide Telehealth Center for Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examination Suicide Prevalence and Prevention Stakeholder Work Group Task Force on Detention Standards for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force on Disaster Issues Affecting Persons Who Are Elderly and Persons With Disabilities Task Force on Faith-Based Disaster Response Technical Advisory Committee for Assessment Instruments Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council Texas Behavioral Health Incubation Task Force Texas Child Mental Health Care consortium Texas Commission on Judicial Selection Texas Electric Grid Security Council Texas Infrastructure Resilience Fund Advisory Committee Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board Texas Privacy Protection Advisory Council Texas Private Security Advisory Committee Texas Veterans County Service Officer Task Force Unmanned Aircraft Study Group Wet Debris Study Group Wet Debris Work Group Windstorm Insurance Legislative Funding and Funding Structure Oversight Board Work Group for Developing Title Application Forms for Certain Off-Highway Vehicles Work Group on Incentivizing the Purchase of Texas Grown Fruits and Vegetables Under SNAP Work Group on Local Restrictions that Impede Disaster Recovery Efforts Work Group on the Creation of a Defense from Liability for Persons Engaged in Certain Recycling Transactions Renamed Entities: Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (previously Information Sharing and Analysis Center)  Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (previously Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority) Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (previously Texas Board of Professional Engineers) Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (previously Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force) Abolished Entities: Advisory Committee on Dissemination of Bacterial Meningitis Information Advisory Committee on Scholarships for Fifth-Year Accounting Students Comptroller’s Property Value Study Advisory Committee High School Completion and Success Initiative Council Interagency Obesity Council San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board Select Committee to Determine Sufficient Economic Stabilization Fund Balance Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying Texas Courthouse Preservation Program Advisory Committee Texas Preservation Trust Fund Account Advisory Board Texas Private Security Board Texas State board of Plumbing Examiners Senate Select Committee on Mass Violence – On December 4 th , the Senate Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention took up its interim charge to assess how state and local law enforcement agencies, fusion centers, mental health providers, digital platforms and social media companies such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., can better collaborate to detect, prevent, and respond to mass violence and terroristic activity. Examine what resources, staffing and protocols are necessary to enhance these partnerships and whether state funding is needed to assist local authorities in this endeavor. Witnesses: Steven McCraw, Director of Texas Department of Public Safety, and representatives of Google, Open Carry Texas, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Houston Police Department, TechNET, Entertainment Software Association, Parent Project, Galveston County Constable’s Office, Amigos de Patriots, Texas Right to Know, Dallas Metrocare Services, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Facebook, Texas City ISD, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Texas Gun Sense, Everbridge, Microsoft, Citizens Commission on Human Rights-Texas, Peace Ministries-Parents of Texas, DialCare Mental Wellness, Tea Party Patriots of Eastland County, and 12 individuals.

BUDGET

Senate Finance Committee – On December 3 rd , the Senate Finance Committee took up the following interim charges: Spending Limit - Examine options and make recommendations for strengthening restrictions on appropriations established in Article VIII, Section 22, of the Texas Constitution, including related procedures defined in statute. Consider options for ensuring available revenues above spending limit are reserved for tax relief.  Witnesses: Tom Currah, Chief Revenue Estimator, Stewart Shallow of the Legislative Budget Board, and representatives of Bell County, and Texas Conservative Coalition.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board – On December 2 nd , Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Jody Goehring and David R. Margrave and appointed Hayden Padgett to the Product Development and Small Business Incubator (PDSBI) Board for terms set to expire on February 1, 2025. Additionally, the Governor appointed Kimberly Gramm for a term set to expire on February 1, 2021. The PDSBI fund is a revolving loan program administered by the Texas Economic Development Bank within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Finance Division at the direction of the PDSBI Board. The purpose of the fund is aid in the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products and to foster and stimulate small business in the state. Hayden Padgett of Plano is a group product manager at TaxAct. He previously worked in product management for Capital One and PayPal. He is a member of the Plano Rotary Club and a volunteer for Junior Achievement of Dallas. Padgett received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles. Texas Enterprise Fund – On December 6 th , Governor Greg Abbott announced that Waterlogic USA, Inc. will establish a new North American Headquarters and Center of Excellence in Grapevine, Texas. Waterlogic is a global leader in point-of-use (“POU”) drinking water dispensers. The company provides access to fresh, purified drinking water to tens of millions of people daily, across North America and the world. This project will create up to 164 new jobs and more than $1.6 million in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $524,400 has been extended to Waterlogic USA, Inc. Casey Taylor, CEO of Waterlogic Americas said, "Waterlogic is a leading global designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of purified drinking water dispensers, and we are excited to announce the expansion of our manufacturing from China into a new state-of-the-art facility in Grapevine, Texas. The new facility will enhance our customer experience by providing domestic expertise, better responsiveness, and additional capacity to our customers in North America."

HEALTH

Senate Health and Human Services Committee – On December 3 rd , the Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to take up the following interim charges: Public Health: Examine the emerging public health concerns from the rise in e-cigarette use and "vaping," especially among minors. Determine if additional policies or laws are needed to protect the public's health. Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 21, including strategies to address tobacco and nicotine use, including e-cigarettes and vaping, by adolescents. Witnesses: Witnesses included representatives of Texas Department of State Health Services, the Comptroller’s office, Texas Association of School Boards, Foundation for an Informed Texas, Vintage Vapor, LLC, Texas Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dallas County Health and Human Services, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Texas Medical Association, Texas Public Health Coalition, Texans for Safe & Drug Free Youth, All About Vapor, American Vapor Company, Lake Travis High School and Hempstead ISD. Health Care Costs: Examine the current status and future direction of the following programs: The Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver, including the DSRIP Transition Plan, and the Healthy Texas Women Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. Witnesses: Witnesses included representatives of Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Houston Health Department, Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Association, Eyman Associates, University Health System San Antonio, Texas Council of Community Centers, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, National Association of Medicaid Directors, Protect Texas Fragile Kids, and Texas Association of City and County Health Officials. House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs - On December 10 th , Speaker Dennis Bonnen created the House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs. The committee is charged to: Examine the primary drivers of increased health care costs in Texas including a review of: 1.     Current health care financing strategies; 2.     Fragmentation of the care delivery administrative burden; 3.     Population, health, and social factors that contribute to rising rates of chronic disease and poor health; 4.     Insurance coverage and benefit design; 5.     Lack of transparency in the cost of health care services; 6.     Regional variations in the cost of care; 7.     Consolidation and lack of competition in the provider and insurance markets; 8.     Health care workforce capacity distribution; and 9.     Fraud, abuse, and wasteful spending. Study opportunities to better coordinate how public dollars are spent on health care; and Identify emerging and proven delivery system improvements and sustainable financing models that could reduce the cost of health care. Members of the committee are Representatives: Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood), Chair Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), Vice-Chair Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) Cody Harris (R-Palestine) Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant) Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) Eddie Lucio, III (D-San Benito) Christina Morales (D-Houston) Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress)

HIGHER EDUCATION

Governor’s University Research Initiative Advisory Board – Governor Greg Abbott recently appointed Christy McClendon to the Governor's University Research Initiative Advisory Board for a term at the pleasure of the Governor. The board was established to assist the Office of the Governor with the review and evaluation of applications for funding of grant proposals, and make recommendations for approval or disapproval of those applications.

PROPERTY

Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee – On December 5 th , the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee took invited testimony on the following interim charges:  Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program - Review existing regulations governing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Qualified Allocation Plan to determine whether regulations exist that unnecessarily increase the cost of developing and maintaining affordable housing. Make recommendations to provide regulatory relief and provide greater development of affordable housing in Texas. Federal Housing Review - Study all federal housing programs accessible to Texas. Make recommendations that ensure the state maximizes the use of those programs. Infrastructure Resiliency - Examine the authority special purpose districts have to generate natural disaster resilient infrastructure. Determine ways state government can work with special purpose districts to mitigate future flooding and promote more resilient infrastructure. Make recommendations on how special purpose districts may use their statutory authority to assist in mitigating damage from future natural disasters. Monitoring - Monitor the implementation of the following legislation: SB 1303 relating to landowner rights in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction; SB 1474 relating to private activity bonds; and HB 2330 relating to simplifying disaster assistance. Witnesses: Nim Kidd, Chief of Texas Division of Emergency Management and representatives of, Texas Bond Review Board, Health and Human Services Commission, General Land Office, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

School Land Board – On December 19 th , Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Gilbert “Gil” Burciaga and appointed Michael A. Neill, Michael “Scott” Rohrman, and Todd A. Williams to the School Land Board for terms set to expire on August 29, 2021. The Board sets the dates to open received bids for the sale of surveyed land dedicated to the permanent school fund, for the lease of land for prospecting or exploring for, mining, producing, storing, caring for, transporting, preserving, selling, or disposing of oil, gas, or other minerals leased, and for the commitment of land to a contract for development.

REDISTRICTING

House Redistricting Committee – On December 13 th , the House Redistricting Committee met in Edinburg; and on December 14 th the committee met in Harlingen.  Witnesses: Representatives of Texas Legislative Council, the Texas State Demographer’s Office, City of Laredo, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, OWLS, and eight individuals testified at the Edinburg hearing. Representatives of Texas Legislative Council, the Texas State Demographer’s Office, City of Harlingen, LULAC, League of Women Voters, Texas State Technical Institute, Cameron County, and six individuals testified at the Harlingen hearing.

TAX

Senate Finance Committee – On December 3 rd , the Senate Finance Committee took up the following interim charges: Business Personal Property Tax - Study the economic dynamics of the current business personal property tax. Consider the economic and fiscal effects of increased exemptions to the business personal property tax, versus its elimination. Following such study, make recommended changes to law. Witnesses: Witnesses included representatives of Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Conference of Urban Counties, Texas Retailers Association, Bexar, Fort Bend, Harris, Tarrant and Dallas Counties, Ryan, LLC, National Federation of Independent Business, and Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute. Monitoring Marketplace Provider Legislation - Monitor the implementation of HB 1525, relating to the administration and collection of sales and use taxes applicable to sales involving marketplace providers.             Witness: Karey Barton, Associate Deputy Comptroller

TRANSPORTATION

House Select Committee on Driver’s License Issuance and Renewal – On December 10 th Speaker Dennis Bonnen created the House Select Committee on Driver’s License Issuance and Renewal. The committee is charged to: Examine opportunities to expedite the driver’s license renewal processes, with a focus on long wait times, physician waivers for eye exams, redundant fingerprinting, and opportunities to complete the renewal online. Review the feasibility of permanently transferring the licensing programs from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); Monitor the use of additional funds provided to DPS for improvements to driver’s license services and construction of new driver’s license service centers. Evaluate the progress being made to reduce wait times at service centers throughout the state; Monitor the implementation of HB 1078, which waives driver’s license and handgun license fees for individuals with certificates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Determine whether the legislation is being implemented as intended and whether it is achieving its desired outcome; and Monitor the implementation of SB 616, the DPS Sunset bill, which provides for the conditional transfer of licensing programs from DPS to the DMV. Review the new workgroup’s adoption of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of the programs to the DMV, the workgroup’s required quarterly reports and the feasibility study regarding the transfer of the programs.  Committee members are Representatives: Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), Chair Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), Vice-Chair Ben Leman (R-Brenham) Evelina “Lina” Ortega (D-El Paso) Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) James White (R-Hillister)

WORKFORCE

OneStar National Service Commission – On December 4 th , Governor Greg Abbott appointed Girien Salazar and reappointed Daphne Brookins, Annette Juba, Mike Morath, Gene Seaman, and Kate Williamson to the OneStar National Service Commission for terms set to expire on March 15, 2022. The commission serves as the state's liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service, fulfilling the duties prescribed and oversees Texas' participation in Corporation for National and Community Service programs, and prepares a comprehensive three-year national service plan for the state annually. Additionally, the Commission helps to oversee the Rebuild Texas Fund to help Texans recovering from Hurricane Harvey. Texas Workforce Investment Council – On December 11 th , Governor Greg Abbott appointed Jesse Cecil Gatewood, Michael Hinojosa, Ed.D., John Martin, and Richard “Rick” Rhodes to the Texas Workforce Investment Council for terms set to expire September 1, 2023. Additionally, the Governor appointed Brandon Willis and reappointed Mark Dunn for a term set to expire on September 1, 2025. The Council engages in a collaborative, systematic view of workforce development programs throughout the state and provides for planning, evaluation, research, and other functions related to 19 workforce programs.

STATE WEBSITES

Additional information can be obtained via the Senate, House, and Capitol websites: www.senate.state.tx.us www.house.state.tx.us www.capitol.state.tx.us

Initiatives like these are made possible with support from:

‌ ‌ ‌