Senate Committee on Finance
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 84th Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Jane Nelson
VICE-CHAIR
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
MEMBERS
Paul Bettencourt
Brian Birdwell
Kelly Hancock
Joan Huffman
Lois Kolkhorst
Robert Nichols
Charles Schwertner
Kel Seliger
Larry Taylor
Carlos Uresti
Kirk Watson
Royce West
John Whitmire
CLERK:
Stephanie Hoover
TEL:
(512) 463-0370
LOCATION:
Capitol Extension, E1.038
Video/Audio — Archives
84th Session Interim
84th Regular Session
- May 22, 2015
- May 21, 2015
- May 21, 2015 — Conference Committee on HB 1
- May 20, 2015
- May 20, 2015 — Conference Committee on HB 1
- May 19, 2015
- May 14, 2015
- May 12, 2015
- May 6, 2015
- April 28, 2015 — Conference Committee on HB 1
- April 27, 2015 — Audio only.
- April 22, 2015
- April 21, 2015 (Part II)
- April 21, 2015 (Part I)
Reports
The following reports are available for download:
- Senate Committee on Finance Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (5.9 MB, PDF format)
Interim Charges
- Study the property tax process, including the appraisal system, and recommend ways to promote transparency, simplicity, and accountability by all taxing entities. (Charge to a select subcommittee on Property Tax Reform and Relief)
- Examine and develop options to further reduce the tax burden on property owners. (Charge to a select subcommittee on Property Tax Reform and Relief)
- Study the benefits, including the dynamic effects, of continuing to phase out the franchise tax. Consider alternate approaches to funding the Property Tax Relief Fund.
- Examine options and make recommendations for strengthening restriction on appropriations established in Article VIII Section 22 of the state constitution, including related procedures defined in statute. Consider options for ensuring available revenues above spending limit are reserved for tax relief.
- Review the budgeting format of other states, such as whether they use strategy-based budgeting, program-based budgeting, or some other approach and discuss the level of transparency with each approach. Review and make recommendations to reduce state debt liabilities, including state pension liability. Consider how to incentivize state agencies, boards, and commissions to identify and realize savings to taxpayers.
- Monitor the state's progress in coordinating behavioral health services and expenditures across state government, pursuant to Article IX Sec. 10.04. Identify ways state agencies that provide mental health services are collaborating and taking steps to eliminate redundancy, create efficiency, utilize best practices, ensure optimal service delivery, and demonstrate expenditures are coordinated and in furtherance of a behavioral health statewide strategic plan. Identify barriers that prevent the coordination of behavioral health services. Make recommendations to maximize use of state funding for mental health.
- Review the state's current sales tax holiday structure and determine its economic benefit to the state. Evaluate and consider the merits of any potential expansion of the tax holiday either in the application of the sales tax exemption or the timing of the holiday.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Finance Committee during the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
- Tax relief provided to property owners;
- The gradual phase out of the franchise tax;
- Support for and the enhancement of graduate medical education;
- Efforts of the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to modernize the technology of state agencies;
- The implementation of required changes to state agency contracting, purchasing, and accounting procedures; and
- Monitor the implementation of Health and Human Services Commission Rider 50.
