Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 82nd Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
VICE-CHAIR
Robert Nichols
MEMBERS
Mario Gallegos, Jr
Dan Patrick
Jeff Wentworth
Royce West
CLERK:
JD Pedraza
TEL:
(512) 463-2527
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 475
Video/Audio — Archives
82nd Session Interim
- June 14, 2012
- May 3, 2012 – Road Mtg. in Dallas, TX (Audio only.)
- April 12, 2012
- January 12, 2012
- November 2, 2011
82nd Regular Session
- May 20, 2011
- May 19, 2011 – audio only.
- May 18, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- May 17, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- May 11, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- May 4, 2011 (Part I, Part II) – Part II is audio only.
- April 27, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- April 20, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- April 13, 2011
- April 6, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- March 30, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- March 23, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- March 16, 2011
- March 9, 2011
- March 2, 2011 (Part I, Part II)
- February 9, 2011
- February 2, 2011
Interim Charges
- Study the impact that regulatory requirements have on the price of residential housing, including costs and benefits during the development, construction, sale, and resale of housing. Consider how regulatory loads affect the ability of the housing market to return to normal economic levels, and focus on the impact on the sale of new and used homes. Include costs and benefits of individual categories or types of regulation to allow a better assessment of ways to improve the affordability of housing.
- Review state policies regarding the provision of affordable housing, including ways to better coordinate existing federal, state, county, and city resources to appropriately increase homeownership and make recommendations to address any issues. Identify any impediments that prevent local governments from using existing tools, such as land trusts, land banks, and other available incentives. Study methods to improve the provision of affordable housing to special-needs populations, such as co-location with social services and coordination with mass transit.
- Study the impact of recent court rulings regarding the determination of eligibility for property tax exemptions of community housing development organizations (CHDOs) by local appraisal districts. Review how these decisions impact existing programs, and make recommendations for any necessary changes to ensure the provision of affordable housing and reduce any cost to the state.
- Study the possible implications for local government corporations to receive a non-profit tax exemption on property owned in the state. Specifically, consider the impact of property located outside of the taxing area of the parent local government.
- Study the statutory oversight granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding the financial feasibility of bonds issued by special purpose districts, including determining whether changes in the oversight structure are needed.
- Study current law regarding the transfer of a tax lien pursuant to Section 32.06, Tax Code, with respect to the impact of tax lien transfers on local governments, political subdivisions, and property owners. Make recommendations for any necessary changes.
- Study ways to assist local governments in reducing the costs associated with procurement. Include an assessment of the costs and benefits of electronic notices for bid notices.
- Study the most effective ways to identify and report data on homeless and runaway youth, and develop recommendations for prevention and maximizing services for this population.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the codification of Senate Bill 1234, relating to municipal management districts and the use of the "standardized language" for municipal management district (MMD) creation.
Select Interim Charges on Drought and Wildfire Preparedness
- Analyze ways to better coordinate existing federal, state, and local housing resources to increase access to affordable housing following a disaster that caused the loss of homes. Review best practices for fulfilling emergency short-term housing needs and developing long-term housing opportunities using existing tools, such as land trusts, land banks, and other available incentives.
- Review housing and development codes, and guidelines for structures in areas prone to natural disasters, and make recommendations on how these structures can be 'hardened' to avoid loss. In addition, make recommendations to educate and enable private landowners to use best practices in fire risk mitigation, fuel reduction, and urban forest management to reduce exposure to wildland fires.
