The Texas State Senate – 83rd Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security

Committees · Hearings and Events · Committee Archives · Notice of Assistance · Legislature Online · Committee Assignments (PDF)

» Video/Audio · Interim Charges · Reports

NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 83rd Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Craig Estes

VICE-CHAIR
Carlos Uresti

MEMBERS
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Charles Schwertner

CLERK:
Gretchen Grigsby

TEL:
(512) 463-0340

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 455

Schedule, Minutes, Witness List and Bills Referred to Committee (via TLO)

Video/Audio — Archives

83rd Session Interim

83rd Regular Session

May 20, 2013
May 17, 2013
May 14, 2013 — Audio only.
May 13, 2013
May 1, 2013 — Audio only.
April 29, 2013
April 25, 2013 — Audio only.
April 23, 2013 — Audio only.
April 22, 2013
April 17, 2013 — Audio only.
April 15, 2013
April 8, 2013
March 26, 2013 — Audio only.
March 25, 2013
March 18, 2013
March 11, 2013
February 25, 2013
February 11, 2013
January 28, 2013 — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security, Senate Committee on Education

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security Interim Report to the 83rd Legislature (6.2 MB, PDF format)

Interim Charges

Examine the current regulatory and insurance requirements for the storage of ammonium nitrate, including the role of the State Chemist and the Texas Department of Insurance. Make recommendations on the changes to current law that are needed to eliminate duplication or inconsistencies, improve transparency, and protect Texans' safety without creating an undue burden on Texas businesses.
Examine the role of state and local governments regarding recovery operations across the state in the event of a disaster. Study and make recommendations to identify essential personnel and resources needed to increase existing response capabilities. Make recommendations on how state, local governments, and businesses can work together in order to assist with the rebuilding/recovery of affected jurisdictions in the event of a disaster.
Monitor the state's efforts to secure the border, including the state's increased investment in border security during the 83rd legislative session. Examine the most effective methods to address the evolving threats with securing the border and evaluate policies that deter illegal immigration and assist in border security efforts, including prohibiting sanctuary cities and requiring electronic verification of worker status. Make recommendations on the most effective policy options to prevent and stop illegal entry into Texas at the border and to deter transnational and drug-related violence and crime. Examine the implementation and effectiveness of the recent Department of Public Safety surge operation on the border and make recommendations on options for the improvement and expansion of future surge operations.
Study the current practice of reporting crime statistics in Texas, including border security crime statistics. Examine the different indices currently utilized and identify potential barriers regarding statewide adoption of a more comprehensive system. Determine whether current crime statistic reporting accurately measures all crime and whether it adequately measures crimes related to illegal border activities. Make recommendations on how to best take advantage of the available crime data maintained by modern law enforcement record systems and recommend any additional crime data that would improve law enforcement and border security efforts.
Study and make recommendations on removing barriers to Second Amendment Rights, including but not limited to open carry legislation. Consider other state laws related to open carry.