The Texas State Senate – 85th Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

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» Video/Audio · Interim Charges · Reports

NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 85th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Eddie Lucio, Jr.

VICE-CHAIR
Paul Bettencourt

MEMBERS
Donna Campbell
Don Huffines
José Menéndez
Van Taylor

CLERK:
Favianna Moreno

TEL:
(512) 463-2527

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 475

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

Video/Audio — Archives

85th Session Interim

August 14, 2018
May 31, 2018 — Road Meeting: Pharr (audio only)
March 27, 2018
November 1, 2017 — Road Meeting: Victoria (audio only).

85th Regular Session

May 23, 2017 — Audio only.
May 22, 2017 — 10:00 PM or upon adjournment; audio only.
May 22, 2017 — 1:15 AM
May 21, 2017
May 17, 2017 (Part II) — Audio only.
May 17, 2017 (Part I)
May 15, 2017 (Part II) — Audio only.
May 15, 2017 (Part I)
May 10, 2017 (Part II) — Audio only.
May 10, 2017 (Part I)
May 8, 2017
May 4, 2017 — Audio only.
May 3, 2017
May 1, 2017 (Part II)
May 1, 2017 (Part I)
April 26, 2017 (Part II)
April 26, 2017 (Part I)
April 24, 2017
April 19, 2017 (Part II)
April 19, 2017 (Part I)
April 12, 2017
April 10, 2017
April 5, 2017 (Part II)
April 5, 2017 (Part I)
April 3, 2017
March 29, 2017
March 27, 2017
March 22, 2017 (Part II)
March 22, 2017 (Part I)
March 20, 2017
March 15, 2017
March 8, 2017

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Interim Report to the 86th Legislature (1.3 MB, PDF format)
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (1.4 MB, PDF format)

Interim Charges

ETJ Limitations and Notice: Review the existing regulatory authority granted to home-rule municipalities within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), including practices used by cities to expand ETJ boundaries, and whether proper notification is provided to property owners added to a city's ETJ following an annexation proceeding. Determine the limitations that need to be placed on a city's authority within the ETJ to better protect the private property rights of individuals and landowners, and ways to notify individuals of the impact of being within a city's ETJ. Develop a statewide rule and minimum requirements for such notifications.
Housing Affordability: Examine issues that impact housing affordability, including the effect of local government taxes, fees, and mandates. Evaluate the cost of purchasing a single-family residence in different parts of the state, factoring in the impact of local rules and regulations, to identify matters of policy with the greatest influence, and identify ways to increase transparency and awareness prior to the adoption of costly local ordinances or orders.
Special Purpose Districts Bond Reform: Study the state agency review of tax exempt bonds issued by special purpose districts and public improvement districts used to finance water and sewer infrastructure in new residential and commercial developments. Examine the disparities that exist between the feasibility review of water and sewer bonds backed by property- based assessments and those backed by ad valorem taxes, and make recommendations that ensure the continued stability of the Texas tax- exempt bond market by requiring all districts to undergo appropriate reviews prior to issuance.
Municipal Management District Uniformity: In conjunction with the appropriate legislative departments, determine whether the development of a template or standardized language for the creation of municipal management districts would provide a more effective means for legislators to ensure new special purpose districts conform to accepted standards and contain appropriate taxpayer oversight.

Interim Charges: 2017 Hurricane Harvey Response

Examine and report on ways to improve the coordination of rebuilding housing and infrastructure following a natural disaster, including evaluating additional cost effective options for FEMA to utilize in providing direct housing assistance immediately following a disaster, creation of comprehensive lists of housing opportunities or web portals to disseminate information to survivors, ways to automatically waive local government regulations to facilitate rebuilding, and additional local resources available for rebuilding efforts.
Monitor the distribution of federal disaster relief funds related to housing and infrastructure, including community development block grant (CDBG) funds, to ensure the timely dissemination of monies by state entities to local governments for reconstruction efforts. Develop recommendations for any statutory changes necessary to improve the efficiency of disaster recovery efforts, maximize housing and infrastructure funds, and ensure cooperation between private and government partners.
Review and recommend options to expedite debris removal, including cutting unnecessary regulation and streamlining the process.
Identify and report on existing disaster training opportunities available for local officials and make recommendations for training programs that equip them to efficiently interact with state and federal agencies during times of disaster.