Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 87th Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Brian Birdwell
VICE-CHAIR
Judith Zaffirini
MEMBERS
Carol Alvarado
Kelly Hancock
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Bryan Hughes
Lois Kolkhorst
Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Kel Seliger
DIRECTOR:
JW Galloway
DEPUTY DIRECTOR:
Clint Harned
CLERK:
David Estrada
TEL:
(512) 463-0390
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 325
Video/Audio — Archives
87th Session Interim
87th 2nd Called Session
87th Regular Session
- May 21, 2021 — Audio only.
- May 20, 2021 (Part II)
- May 20, 2021 (Part I)
- May 18, 2021
- May 13, 2021
- May 10, 2021
- May 6, 2021 — (Audio begins at the 55 second mark)
- May 4, 2021 — Audio only.
- April 29, 2021
- April 22, 2021 (Part II)
- April 22, 2021 (Part I)
- April 20, 2021
- April 15, 2021 (Part II)
- April 15, 2021 (Part I)
- April 8, 2021 (Part II)
- April 8, 2021 (Part I)
- March 25, 2021 (Part II)
- March 25, 2021 (Part I)
- March 18, 2021
Interim Charges
- Economic Development Programs: Review the programs in Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code. Consider the benefits of each program in generating economic development. Make recommendations for improvements to Chapters 380 and 381 to increase transparency and accountability and the effectiveness of the programs.
- Hotel Occupancy Taxes: Study the collection and use of hotel occupancy taxes. Evaluate and make recommendations related to the effectiveness, costs of rebates, incentives, and other taxes applied to qualified hotel and convention center projects. Investigate and determine whether the creation of a standard Hotel Occupancy Tax legislative template is feasible, and whether it would enable the legislature to more efficiently evaluate proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax bills during the legislative session.
- Natural Gas Storage: Study the economic benefits of expanding the state's underground natural gas storage capacity and infrastructure. Investigate and make recommendations for additional natural gas transportation opportunities.
- Wildfires and Prescribed Burns: Examine ways to reduce the risk of and destructive impact of wildfires. Monitor the role the Prescribed Burning Board plays in controlled burns. Recommend practices and improvements that public and private landowners may use to reduce fire risks.
- Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development passed by the 87th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
- Senate Bill 13, Relating to state contracts with and investments in certain companies that boycott energy companies;
- House Bill 1247, Relating to the development of and report on a tri- agency work-based learning strategic framework by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
- House Bill 1284, Relating to the regulation of the injection and geologic storage of carbon dioxide in this state;
- House Bill 3973, Relating to a study on abandoned oil and gas wells in this state and the use of the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund; and
- House Bill 4110, Relating to the registration of metal recycling.
