Page 10 - TFRW PNL May 2018

Inspire. Unite. Achieve.
Legislative Update

by VP Legislation Julie Faubel
[email protected]

Interim Charges for the
85th Texas Legislature

The Interim Charges for the 85th Texas Legislature have been issued by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the
House Joe Straus. Interim Charges instruct lawmakers to study important issues and research information about a
variety of topics to help guide future legislative decisions. The committees are currently meeting and holding public
hearings to get input about their charges and outline the work to be done before they meet again in January 2019.

In preparation for next year’s legislative session, both chambers share a number of interim charges that committees
will study focusing on the impact and aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, including:

• Examine the use of federal funds by state agencies responding to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Identify the
need for state resources to respond to Harvey relief and recovery efforts, as well as opportunities for state
investment in infrastructure projects that will reduce the impact of future natural disasters.

• Evaluate the adequacy of the workforce currently available to the industries responsible for rebuilding the
state’s key infrastructure as well as residential and commercial properties damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
• Examine how emergency response activities are organized, funded, and coordinated. Review the impact of
natural disasters on county finances. Identify any deficiencies in authority for the most populous counties
related to infrastructure planning, emergency response, and recovery.
Another issue both chambers will also examine:

• Study strategies to use the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) to generate additional revenue for state obli-
gations without compromising the fund’s intended purpose. Examine options to increase earnings while mini-
mizing overall risk to the fund balance and ensuring sufficient liquidity. Additionally, consider alternate uses for
funds above the constitutional limit.

Some issues for House committees include:
• Study the impact of data breaches or theft on Texas consumers and businesses. Determine if existing rules and
regulations offer adequate consumer protection while allowing continued economic success for businesses in
the state.
• Monitor developments with international trade agreements, including NAFTA, and review the impact of
proposed and enacted changes on the state’s economy.

• Some issues for Senate committees include:
• Evaluate the property tax as it applies to business personal property and the current $500 exemption. Quantify
the economic effect of taxing business personal property and determine whether the tax places Texas at a
competitive disadvantage relative to other states.
• Evaluate the effective tax rate and rollback tax rate calculations. Evaluate the operations of appraisal review
boards (ARBs). Determine whether ARB operations are sufficiently independent of central appraisal districts and
taxing units and whether ARBs and/or chief appraisers should be elected.
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PRESIDENT’S E-NEWSLETTER | MAY 2018 10 TEXAS FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN