Senate Committee on Local Government
Committee Information
CHAIR
Paul Bettencourt
VICE-CHAIR
Drew Springer
CLERK:
Bradley Hurt
TEL:
(512) 463-2527
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 475
Video/Audio — Archives
88th Third Called Session
88th Regular Session
- May 22, 2023
- May 21, 2023
- May 19, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- May 18, 2023
- May 16, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- May 12, 2023
- May 9, 2023
- May 8, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- May 3, 2023 — Audio only.
- May 1, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- April 27, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- April 20, 2023
- April 18, 2023
- April 12, 2023
- April 11, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- April 4, 2023
- April 3, 2023 (Part I, Part II)
- March 28, 2023
- March 27, 2023
- March 20, 2023
- March 13, 2023
Interim Charges
- Additional Property Tax Relief and Reform: Report on the effects of prior property tax relief and reform, including the $18 billion tax cut with the $100,000 homestead exemption authorized by the 88th Legislature. Focus particularly on the interaction between Senate Bill 2, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and Senate Bill 2, 86th Legislature. Make recommendations for further property tax relief and reform, including methods to improve voter control over tax rate setting and debt authorization, and mechanisms to dissolve taxing entities such as municipal management districts (MMDs) and tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) when they have outlived their purpose.
- Extra-Territorial Jurisdictions: Study issues related to the implementation of Senate Bill 2038 and House Bill 3053, 88th Legislature, and make recommendations to secure and enhance the protection of landowners' property rights.
- Local Government Spending of Directly Distributed Federal Funds: Examine how local governments spend funds directly distributed to them by the federal government, such as Harris County's use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to set up a guaranteed-income pilot program. Make recommendations to ensure that the spending of such funds is transparent, accountable, and within the legitimate purposes for local governments under Texas law.
- Housing Affordability: Study issues related to housing, including housing supply, homelessness, and methods of providing and financing affordable housing. Make recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers, strengthen property rights, and improve transparency and accountability in public programs for housing.
- Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: Review current laws relating to “squatters” or those claiming adverse possession of property. Make recommendations to streamline the process for the immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights of property owners’.
