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Seal of the Senate of the State of Texas
Welcome to the official website for the
Texas Senate
 
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 82nd Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
John Carona

VICE-CHAIR
Chris Harris

MEMBERS
Kevin Eltife
Craig Estes
Mike Jackson
Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Leticia Van de Putte
Kirk Watson
John Whitmire

 

DIRECTOR:
Steven Polunksy

CLERK:
Troupe Brewer

TEL:
(512) 463-0365

FAX:
(512) 463-1613

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 370

Video/Audio Archives

82nd Session Interim

82nd First Called Session

82nd Regular Session

Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts

October 9, 2012

August 14, 2012

July 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Submitted Written Testimony

Hearing Background Information

January 10, 2012

Submitted Written Testimony

Hearing Background Information

October 4, 2011

Relevant Web Links

Submitted Written Testimony

July 28, 2011 — Subcommittee on Water Utilities in Rural and Unincorporated Areas

May 3, 2011

April 26, 2011

April 19, 2011

April 12, 2011

April 5, 2011

March 29, 2011

March 23, 2011

SB 504

SB 782

SB 864

SB 981

SB 1125

March 15, 2011

SB 590

SB 980

SB 980/985

SB 980/986

SB 982/986

SB Multiple Bills

  • Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research and Director, Center for Economic Freedom

March 8, 2011

SB 595

  • Dale Szyndrowski, VP Government Relations, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

SB 773/834

March 1, 2011

SB 95

SB 97

  • Ware Wendell, Director of Legislative Affairs, Texas Watch
  • Jay Thompson, Counsel, Association of Fire and Casualty Companies of Texas

SB 425

  • Lee Loftis, Governmental Affairs Director, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas

SB 690

February 22, 2011

February 16, 2011

Joint Hearing with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on power outages

Panel 1

Panel 3

Panel 4

Public Testimony

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Agency Quarterly Reports to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce

FY2012/Q1

FY2012/Q3

FY2012/Q4

Interim Charges

  • Study and make recommendations for workforce training programs in Texas to ensure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs target economic growth areas and future workforce needs of the health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and information technology industries and help retain workers in those trades and fields.
  • Study the state's approach to licensing and regulation of occupations to ensure protection of public welfare, trust, health, and safety and eliminate unnecessary, overly restrictive, or anti-competitive regulation. Review guidelines and other states' approaches for determining when regulation is necessary and make recommendations for improving Texas' regulatory system.
  • Conduct a broad review of the Texas homeowners insurance market and make recommendations to improve transparency and consumer education, ensure fair practices, and lower rates. Specifically, consider the following:
    • Compare Texas' homeowners insurance premiums with those of other states and identify the factors underlying Texas' premium levels and recommend steps that the Legislature may take to reduce homeowners' rates, if appropriate;
    • Study strategies that increase awareness of state insurance resources to help consumers compare rates and coverage among various insurance providers;
    • Study the relationship between insurance premiums and construction costs, especially as associated with recovery from natural disasters, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly;
    • Review the use by insurers, in rating and underwriting decisions, of customer inquiries regarding the general terms or conditions of, or coverage offered under, an insurance policy.
  • Study the relationship between city governments and municipally-owned utilities, including any duplicative or redundant functions, the amounts and justifications required for transfer payments between the entities, and the benefits and disadvantages of alternative governance structures.
  • Analyze the state of the telecommunications market in Texas, including the costs and benefits of full deregulation of the market; the impact and viability of the Texas Universal Service Fund and Provider of Last Resort requirements; the impact of SB 980, Regular Session, 82nd Legislature, relating to telecommunications regulation and rulemaking; the availability of broadband; telecommunications service discounts; and rights-of-way charges. Make recommendations to enhance services, support the industry, and ensure adequate and affordable access for consumers.
  • Study the costs and benefits of implementing a redeemable deposit program for beverage containers. Analyze the impact on Texas manufacturing of additional supplies of raw materials generated and any reduction of litter and landfill waste.
  • Review current and pending ERCOT protocols as they apply to all generation technology, and identify those protocols that may provide operational, administrative, or competitive advantages to any specific generation by fuel type. Consider the impact any revisions to the protocols may have on grid reliability and electricity rates. Make recommendations for revisions or statutory changes to limit distortions in the Texas electrical market.
  • Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, review the implementation of HB 2592 and 2594 relating to payday lending, and make recommendations relating to consistency and coordination with local ordinances and federal law.

Select Interim Charges on Drought and Wildfire Preparedness

  • Assess the impact of current and anticipated drought conditions on electric generation capacity. Identify those regions of Texas that will be most affected by a lack of capacity. Analyze response plans and make recommendations to improve and expedite those plans.