The Texas State Senate – 76th Senate Committee on Finance

Committee Information

CHAIR
Bill Ratliff

VICE-CHAIR
Carlos F. Truan

MEMBERS
Gonzalo Barrientos
John Carona
Robert Duncan
Troy Fraser
Mario Gallegos, Jr
Jon Lindsay
Mike Moncrief
Steve Ogden
Royce West

Video/Audio — Archives

February 1, 2000 — Joint Hearing: Finance Committee, House Appropriations Committee

Interim Charges

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. 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.

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.

Review the expenditure by agencies and institutions that received appropriations from tobacco settlement proceeds to ensure the efficient and effective use of those funds, and identify priorities for the use of future tobacco settlement proceeds.

Evaluate the financial viability and educational effectiveness of graduate medical education in light of changes in Medicaid, managed care, and other cost factors, including the impact of uncompensated care. This evaluation shall include a review of the role of the state's teaching hospitals in the provision of indigent health care, and the role of graduate medical education in addressing health care needs of under-served regions of the state.

Consult and coordinate with the Committee on State Affairs in their charge related to the study of the effects of federal devolution on state agencies.

Monitor the implementation of SB 1547, enacted during the 76th Legislature, Regular Session relating to motor fuel tax collection improvements, especially the impact of the bill on state motor fuel tax revenue.

Review the Texas Disproportionate Share Hospital Program, with an emphasis on the formula and criteria used to distribute funding to hospitals. The committee's report should include a comprehensive assessment of all sources of funding (federal, state, and local) available to hospitals which serve Medicaid clients and the indigent poor, as well as the costs incurred by hospitals which serve Medicaid clients and the indigent poor, as well as the costs incurred by hospitals serving these groups. The committee will report any findings or recommendations by May 1.