Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 82nd Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
John Carona
VICE-CHAIR
Chris Harris
MEMBERS
Kevin Eltife
Craig Estes
Mike Jackson
Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Leticia Van de Putte
Kirk Watson
John Whitmire
DIRECTOR:
Steven Polunksy
CLERK:
Troupe Brewer
TEL:
(512) 463-0365
FAX:
(512) 463-1613
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 370
Video/Audio — Archives
82nd Session Interim
- October 9, 2012
- August 14, 2012
- July 10, 2012
- April 10, 2012
- January 10, 2012
- October 4, 2011
- July 28, 2011 — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, Senate Committee on Natural Resources; (Subcommittees on Water Utilities in Rural and Unincorporated Areas)
82nd 1st Called Session
82nd Regular Session
- May 21, 2011 (Part II) — audio only.
- May 21, 2011 (Part I)
- May 18, 2011 (Part II) — audio only.
- May 18, 2011 (Part I)
- May 17, 2011
- May 11, 2011
- May 10, 2011
- May 6, 2011 — audio only.
- May 3, 2011
- April 26, 2011 (Part II) — audio only.
- April 26, 2011 (Part I)
- April 19, 2011
- April 12, 2011 (Part II)
- April 12, 2011 (Part I)
- April 7, 2011 — audio only.
- April 6, 2011
- April 5, 2011
- March 30, 2011
- March 29, 2011
- March 22, 2011 (Part II)
- March 22, 2011 (Part I)
- March 15, 2011
- March 8, 2011
- March 1, 2011
- February 22, 2011 (Part II) — Due to technical difficulties the video is inaudible until 00:00:56
- February 22, 2011 (Part I)
- February 15, 2011 (Part II) — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, Senate Committee on Natural Resources (Part II)
- February 15, 2011 (Part I) — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, Senate Committee on Natural Resources (Part I)
- February 15, 2011
Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts
October 9, 2012
- Ann Baddour, Texas Fair Lending Alliance (File 1, File 2, File 3)
- Big Bend Telephone Company
- Bob Digneo, Assistant Vice President, AT&T-Texas (File 1, File 2)
- Brian H. Lloyd, Executive Director, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) (File 1, File 2, File 3)
- Bruce Young, Senior Director of Hardward Development, Landis+Gyr
- Cathy Webking, Coalition of Rural Cooperative CLECs
- Centerpoint Energy
- Charles Land, Executive Director, TEXALTEL
- Colin Meehan, Environmental Defense Fund (File 1, File 2)
- Curtis Bennett, Thermografix Corporation
- David McEndree, CEO/GM, Poka Lambro Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
- Delbert Wilson, General Manager, Hill Country Telephone Co-op
- Diego M. Bernal, City Council, District 1, City of San Antonio
- Don Baylor, Jr., Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Doug Fulp, Vice President, Regulatory and Governmental Affairs, Verizon (File 1, File 2)
- Dr. Edward Gelmann, Professor of Oncology & Chief of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center
- James Kopp, Assistant City Attorney, City of San Antonio
- Jeff Stracener, Manager of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AEP Texas
- Jennie Chandra, Vice President for Government Affairs, Windstream Communications, Inc. (File 1, File 2)
- Jerry Mitchell
- Jim Bellina, AMA TechTel Communications
- Joe Gillan, Economic Consultant, Texas USF Reform Coalition
- John Marler, Texans United Against Smart Meters (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4, File 5)
- Eleanor Kitzman, Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (File 1, File 2)
- Lanetta Cooper, Texas Legal Services Center (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4)
- Leslie Pettijohn, Commissioner, Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
- Mark Moore, Senior Director of Measurement Services, Oncor
- Michael Shultz, Vice President of Regulatory & Public Policy, Consolidated Communications
- Nathan Benedict, Assistant Director of Regulatory Analysis, Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Rob Norcross, Consumer Service Alliance of Texas (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4, File 5, File 6)
- Scott Stringer, Director, State Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for TX, LA, and MS, CenturyLink
- Stephen Reeves, Texas Faith for Fair Lending
- Thelma Taormina, 9/12 Project Texas (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4, File 5)
- Tim Morstad, Associate State Director for Advocacy, AARP Texas
- Walt Baum, Association of Electric Companies of Texas (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4, File 5, File 6, File 7, File 8, File 9, File 10)
- Dr. William Rea, President, Environmental Health Center - Dallas (File 1, File 2)
August 14, 2012
- Amanda Brownson, Texas School Alliance
- Andrew Macfarlane, Data Foundry, Inc.
- Bill Peacock, Director of the Center for Economic Freedom, Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) (File 1, File 2)
- Bob Digneo, Assistant Vice President, AT&T (File 1, File 2 [JPEG Image])
- Brian H. Lloyd, Executive Director, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
- Clifford Gay
- Daniel Gibson, Legal Counsel to Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative Inc.
- Don Shirley, Executive Director, Connected Texas
- Eric F. Craven, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Legal Affairs, Texas Electric Cooperatives
- Hank Fanberg, Technology Advocacy and Information Management, Christus Health
- Jennifer Bergland, Texas Computer Education Association
- Jim Lewis, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Comcast (File 1, File 2)
- Kristie Ince, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, TW Telecom, Inc. (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4)
- Lanetta Cooper, Staff Attorney, Texas Legal Services Center
Attachments: - Paul Chavez, Wide Area Network Manager of Region 13 Education Service Center, Texas Association of Community Schools
- Ramiro Canales, Assistant Executive Director, Government Relations, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
- Richard Lawson, Legislative Committee Chairman, Texas Telephone Association
- Roger Starkey, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, University of Texas System
- Ron McMillan, Regional Vice President of Government Relations, Time Warner Cable for Texas Cable Association
- Roosevelt Weeks, Deputy Director, Houston Public Library System (File 1, File 2)
- Ruben Longoria, Texas Association of School Boards
- Snapper Carr, Attorney, Texas Municipal League
- Todd Baxter, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel, Texas Cable Association
- Walter R. Magnussen, Director of Telecommunications, Texas A&M University
- Wayne Wedemeyer, Director of the Office of Telecommunication Services, University of Texas at Austin
July 10, 2012
- A. R. "Babe" Schwartz (File 1, File 2)
- Beaman Floyd, Director, Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) (File 1, File 2, File 3)
- Brian H. Lloyd, Executive Director, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
Attachments: - Colin Meehan, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- Cynthia R. Redwine, Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
- Daniel L. Jones, Director, Independent Market Monitor for the ERCOT Wholesale Market
- Deeia Beck, Executive Director, Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC)
- Dick Brown
- Doyle N. Beneby, President & CEO, CPS Energy
- Eleanor Kitzman, Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (File 1, File 2, File 3, File 4)
- Eli Lehrer, President, R Street
- Heather Morton, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
- Jeffrey Clark, Executive Director, The Wind Coalition
- Joe M. Woods, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI)
- John R. Cobarruvias
- John W. Fainter, Jr., President & CEO, Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT)
- Ken Anderson, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
- Lee Leffingwell, Mayor, City of Austin
- Lee Loftis, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT)
- Mark Farrar, Executive Director, Homeowners United For Rate Fairness (HURF)
- Mark Zion, Executive Director, Texas Public Power Association (TPPA)
- Mike Schultz, Mayor, City of Boerne
- Ned Munoz, General Counsel, Texas Association of Builders (TAB) (File 1, File 2, File 3)
- Richard Howe
- Roger Borgelt, General Counsel, Homeowners United for Rate Fairness (HURF)
- Shane Menking, President & CFO, Data Foundry, Inc. (File 1, File 2)
- Tom "Smitty" Smith, Director, Public Citizen of Texas
- Trip Doggett, President & CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- Ware Wendell, Texas Watch
April 10, 2012
Submitted Written Testimony
- Dr. Anne J. Matula, Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend
Attachments: - Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor, San Jacinto College
- Clifford Gay
- Dan Barrow
- David Setzer, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas
- Jim Quinten, Automobile Parts and Services Association (APSA)
- Joe Arnold, Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM)
- John Dewey, San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA) (File 1, File 2, File 3)
- Linda Holcombe, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA) (File 1, File 2)
- Dr. MacGregor Stephenson, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
- Marc A. Levin, Esq., Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF)
- Mike Reeser, Chancellor, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System
- Morgan Little, Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations (TCVO)
Attachments: - Patty Quinzi, Texas AFT
- Thomas P. Palladino, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
- Tom Pauken, Chairman, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
- Trip Doggett, President & CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
Hearing Background Information
- Building a Viable Career Path, Cornerstone Magazine, AGC-Houston
- The Skilled Workforce Shortage, Owners Perspective Magazine, COAA
- 52 Experiments with Regulatory Review, Institute for Policy Integrity
- Fiscal Size-Up, 2012-13 Biennium, Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
- Public School Career And Technical Education Labor Market Relevance And Course Variety, Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
- Overview of the Texas Workforce Development System, Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
- Retail Electric Provider (REP) Comparison Sheet, Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Electric Customer Assistance Program Contacts, Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Regulation and Regulatory Processes, University of Pennsylvania School of Law
- The Regulatory Review Process in Pennsylvania 2011, Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC)
- State to State Comparison, January 2010, Texas Economic Development Division, Office of the Governor
- Confronting Washington State's Overlapping Regulatory Structures, Thrive Washington Project
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Overview, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Career & Technical Education Points of Interest in Texas, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Career & Technical Education Student Organizations, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Statutes Relevant to CTE: Part I, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Statutes Relevant to CTE: Part II, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Statutes Relevant to CTE: Part III, Texas Industrial Vocational Association (TIVA)
- Electrical Systems Technology Program Brochure, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Waco
- TSTC System Overview, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System
- Pathways To Prosperity, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Apprenticeship in Texas, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
January 10, 2012
Submitted Written Testimony
- Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT): Drought Impacts on Electric Generation
- Texas Combined Heat and Power Initiate (TXCHPI)
- Colin Meehan, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- Cyrus Reed, Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter
- Trip Doggett, President & CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- George W. Bomar, State Meteorologist, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Lauren Ross, Glenrose Engineering, Inc.
- John Morgan, Securities Commissioner, Texas State Securities Board (SSB)
- Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
- Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP)
- Bryan W. Shaw, Chairman, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
- Mark Zion, Executive Director, Texas Public Power Association (TPPA)
- Robert A. Webb, Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
- Carolyn Brittin, Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
- TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC
- Michael E. Webber, Ph.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering/Center for International Energy & Environmental Policy, University of Texas at Austin
Hearing Background Information
- The 2011 Texas Drought, John W. Nielsen, Texas State Climatologist
- Letter to the Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, Kim Beazley, Australian Ambassador to the United States
Attachments: - AEMO EAAP Report Update, Austrialian Energy Market Operator Ltd.
- Australian Energy Resource Assessment, Chapter 8 — Hydro Energy
- Water and the Electricity Generation Industry, Australia National Water Commission
- Potential Drought Impact on Electricity Supplies in the NEM, National Electricity Market Management Company Ltd.
- Information Request Response, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
- Quarterly Update to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Testimony By The Texas Coalition For Affordable Power (TCAP)
- Current and Projected Water Use in the Texas Mining and Oil and Gas Industry, Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
- Quarterly Update to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
- Court Order, Case #11-1302, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
- Letter to PUC Chairman Donna Nelson and ERCOT President/CEO Trip Doggett, Senator Kirk Watson
October 4, 2011
Relevant Web Links
- TWIA Changes related to House Bill 3 (82-1)
- Biography of Donna Nelson, Chair of Public Utility Commission
- State Auditor's report on System Benefit Fund
- Texas Department of Insurance
- Biography of Eleanor Kitzman, Commissioner of Texas Department of Insurance
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- State Auditor's Report on Performance Measures at the Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas Real Estate Commission
- Biography of Douglas Oldmixon, Executive Director of Texas Real Estate Commission
- Senate Bill 1000
Submitted Written Testimony
- Cyrus Reed, Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Audit Report on Performance Measures
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Facts at a Glance
- Texas Real Estate Commission: SB 1000 (82-R) SDSI Progress Report
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Agency Presentation
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Implementation Under HB 3 (82-1)
July 28, 2011 — Subcommittee on Water Utilities in Rural and Unincorporated Areas
Joint hearing of the Subcommittees on Water Utilities in Rural and Unincorporated Areas (Business and Commerce, and Natural Resources Committees)
May 3, 2011
HB 1064
April 26, 2011
SB 1309
SB 1848
- Clinton Tegeler, Mayor, City of Ganado
- David Bird, County Judge, Gonzalez County
- John Burrows, County Judge, Bell County
SB 2035
April 19, 2011
SB 365
SB 1743
April 12, 2011
SB 1274
- Hector Uribe
- Jay Thompson, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, L.L.P.
- Leo Waddly
- Paul Ramon, President, Ramon Roofing Incorporated
SB 1300
SB 1425
April 5, 2011
SB 898
SB 924
SB 1862
March 29, 2011
SB 1087
SB 1219
SB 1230
SB 1693
March 23, 2011
SB 504
- Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman, Young Conservatives of Texas
- Patty Quinzi, Legislative Counsel, American Federation of Teachers (Document 1, Document 2)
- Keith Bryant, Superintendent, Bullard Independent School District
- Howell Wright, Superintendent, Rockdale Independent School District
- Nicholas Brown, Superintendent, Blum Independent School District and Dennis Womack, Superintendent, Lovejoy Independent School District
- Bill Tarleton, Superintendent, Hico Independent School District (Document 1, Document 2)
SB 782
- Rosalba Ojeda, Consul General of Mexico (Document 1, Document 2)
SB 864
SB 981
- Cyrus Reed, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter (Document 1, Document 2)
SB 1125
- Bob Peck, Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs (Document 1, Document 2)
- Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research and Director, Center for Economic Freedom (Document 1, Document 2)
March 15, 2011
SB 590
- Gardner Pate, Texas Building Owners and Managers Association
SB 980
- Bob Digneo, AVP for AT&T Texas
- Don Gartman, President, Galveston County Economic Alliance
- Gene Herrera, Board Chairman, Alliance of Minority Contractors of Houston
- John Roth, County Commissioner, Parker County
- Robert Howden, Texans for Economic Progress
- Spencer Bell, Owner/Operator, Holiday Inn Express in Weslaco
SB 980/985
- Glenn Richards, Executive Director, Voice on the Net Coalition
SB 980/986
- Joseph Gillan, Texas Cable Association and tw telecom of Texas
SB 982/986
- Carl Erhart, Central Regional President for Verizon
SB Multiple Bills
- Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research and Director, Center for Economic Freedom
March 8, 2011
SB 595
- Dale Szyndrowski, VP Government Relations, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
SB 773/834
- Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman, Young Conservatives of Texas
- Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research and Director, Center for Economic Freedom
- Bob Digneo, AVP-Regulatory, AT&T Texas
- Dr. John Folks, Superintendent of Northside ISD in San Antonio
- Mark Gabehart, Chief Technology Officer, Abilene ISD
March 1, 2011
SB 95
- Ryan Brannan, Texas Public Policy Foundation
- Ware Wendell, Director of Legislative Affairs, Texas Watch
- Jay Thompson, Counsel, Association of Fire and Casualty Companies of Texas
SB 97
- Ware Wendell, Director of Legislative Affairs, Texas Watch
- Jay Thompson, Counsel, Association of Fire and Casualty Companies of Texas
SB 425
- Lee Loftis, Governmental Affairs Director, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
SB 690
- Emily Cates, Editor, Daily Commercial Record
- Tom Morin, Publisher and President, Daily Court Review
February 22, 2011
- Joe Vasquez, Bishop, Texas Catholic Conference
- Clifford Gay
- Dale Vande Hey, DoD–State Liaison Office
- David Jones Ph.D., President, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies
- Don Baylor, Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Dr. Chad Chaddick, Pastor, Northeast Baptist Church, San Antonio
- Dr. Mikael Broadway, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Shaw University Divinity School
- Jay Shipowicz
- Jerry Allen, Council Member, City of Dallas
- John Daetwyler, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Cornerstone Financial Education
- Lori Henning, Executive Director, Texas Association of Goodwills
- Marianne D'Aquila, Senior Vice President, Money Management International, Inc
- Michael Croxson, President, CareOne Services
- Ollie Besteiro
- Rob Norcross, Consumer Service Alliance of Texas
- Ryan Brannan, Texas Public Policy Foundation's Center for Economic Freedom
- Suzii Paynter, Director Christian Life Commission, Baptist General Convention of Texas
- Tracy Grinstead-Everly, Policy Manager, Texas Council on Family Violence
- Additional Information submitted by Senator Davis
February 16, 2011
Joint Hearing with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on power outages
Panel 1
- Barry Smitherman, Chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas
- Trip Doggett, President and CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas
Panel 3
- Brenda J. Pulis, Senior Vice President of Operations, Oncor
- Larry Weis, General Manager, Austin Energy
Panel 4
- Dick Erskine, President, Atmos Pipeline Company
Public Testimony
- Clay Lewis Jenkins, Dallas County Judge
- Joyce Yao, Clean Energy Associate, Environment Texas
- Alex Hinojosa Jr., President and CEO, Hino Electric Power Company
- Cyrus Reed, Loan Star Chapter, Sierra Club
- David Power, Public Citizen's Texas Office
Reports
The following reports are available for download:
Agency Quarterly Reports to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
FY2012/Q1
- Credit Union Department (CUD)
- Texas Department of Banking (DOB)
- Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
- Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC)
- Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
- Texas State Securities Board (SSB)
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) — Automobile Insurance
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) — Homeowners Insurance
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (TDSML)
- Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
- Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) — Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board
- Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
FY2012/Q3
- Credit Union Department (CUD)
- Texas Department of Banking (DOB)
- Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
- Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC)
- Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Texas State Securities Board (SSB)
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)
- Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (TDSML)
- Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
FY2012/Q4
- Texas Department of Banking (DOB)
- Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
- Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC)
- Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)
- Texas Department of Savings & Mortgage Lending (SML)
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)
- Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE)
- Credit Union Department (CUD)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
- Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA)
- Texas State Securities Board (SSB)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
Interim Charges
- Study and make recommendations for workforce training programs in Texas to ensure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs target economic growth areas and future workforce needs of the health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and information technology industries and help retain workers in those trades and fields.
- Study the state's approach to licensing and regulation of occupations to ensure protection of public welfare, trust, health, and safety and eliminate unnecessary, overly restrictive, or anti-competitive regulation. Review guidelines and other states' approaches for determining when regulation is necessary and make recommendations for improving Texas' regulatory system.
- Conduct a broad review of the Texas homeowners insurance market and make recommendations to improve transparency and consumer education, ensure fair practices, and lower rates. Specifically, consider the following:
- Compare Texas' homeowners insurance premiums with those of other states and identify the factors underlying Texas' premium levels and recommend steps that the Legislature may take to reduce homeowners' rates, if appropriate;
- Study strategies that increase awareness of state insurance resources to help consumers compare rates and coverage among various insurance providers;
- Study the relationship between insurance premiums and construction costs, especially as associated with recovery from natural disasters, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly;
- Review the use by insurers, in rating and underwriting decisions, of customer inquiries regarding the general terms or conditions of, or coverage offered under, an insurance policy.
- Study the relationship between city governments and municipally-owned utilities, including any duplicative or redundant functions, the amounts and justifications required for transfer payments between the entities, and the benefits and disadvantages of alternative governance structures.
- Analyze the state of the telecommunications market in Texas, including the costs and benefits of full deregulation of the market; the impact and viability of the Texas Universal Service Fund and Provider of Last Resort requirements; the impact of SB 980, Regular Session, 82nd Legislature, relating to telecommunications regulation and rulemaking; the availability of broadband; telecommunications service discounts; and rights-of-way charges. Make recommendations to enhance services, support the industry, and ensure adequate and affordable access for consumers.
- Study the costs and benefits of implementing a redeemable deposit program for beverage containers. Analyze the impact on Texas manufacturing of additional supplies of raw materials generated and any reduction of litter and landfill waste.
- Review current and pending ERCOT protocols as they apply to all generation technology, and identify those protocols that may provide operational, administrative, or competitive advantages to any specific generation by fuel type. Consider the impact any revisions to the protocols may have on grid reliability and electricity rates. Make recommendations for revisions or statutory changes to limit distortions in the Texas electrical market.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, review the implementation of HB 2592 and 2594 relating to payday lending, and make recommendations relating to consistency and coordination with local ordinances and federal law.
Select Interim Charges on Drought and Wildfire Preparedness
- Assess the impact of current and anticipated drought conditions on electric generation capacity. Identify those regions of Texas that will be most affected by a lack of capacity. Analyze response plans and make recommendations to improve and expedite those plans.
