Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Releases First Wave of Interim Charges
October 23, 2017
Targets Alamo Funding Review & Establishes Select Committee on E-Verify
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking the Texas Senate to study 81 additional interim legislative charges in addition to the 25 interim charges he released last month directly related to issues resulting from Hurricane Harvey. Charges for the Senate Finance Committee, the Select Committee on Property Tax Reform, the Transportation Committee, the Health & Human Services Committee, the Natural Resources & Economic Development Committee, the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations and the Committee on Veterans Affairs and Border Security were released today. Charges for the remaining committees will be issued tomorrow.
“The Texas Senate will continue to take the lead in transforming our conservative principles into sound public policy. These charges are serious directives that reflect both my priorities and the priorities of the Texas Senate. They will require a lot of work in a short amount of time but I have complete confidence in the leadership and commitment of my committee chairs and the senators who serve on these committees. I know that when their reports come back later this year, they will provide a clear path for Texas on the best way to address the policy challenges we are facing,” Patrick said.
The lieutenant governor made a review of funding for the Alamo a top priority for the Finance Committee. “I want to ensure the funds allocated for the Alamo are spent to emphasize the historical impact of that legendary battle on the development of Texas as a nation and as a state,” Patrick added.
The lieutenant governor also established a Select Committee on Employment Practices which will be chaired by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe. Senators Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville and Royce West, D-Dallas will serve as members. The select committee will make recommendations on how to best guarantee the integrity of our state’s workforce. The Senate passed an E-Verify bill in the last legislative session that addressed this issue, but the bill died in the Texas House.
The 106 new interim charges were determined by the lieutenant governor’s policy priorities and almost 800 suggestions from Texas Senators.
The first wave of interim charges are posted here.
Want new articles directly to your inbox?
Subscribe to our Publishing Service.
SCOTX Grants Mandamus Ordering Trial Court to Dismiss Wrongful Death Case for Forum Non Conveniens
In a case applying the statutory forum non conveniens provision governing personal injury and wrongful death cases, the Texas Supreme Court has held that a Harris County trial court clearly abused its discretion by denying a defendant’s motion to dismiss on forum non...
SCOTX Decision Affirms Summary Judgment for Oil and Gas Producer in Suit to Quiet Title, But Remands to Trial Court for Further Proceedings
The Texas Supreme Court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of an oil and gas producer who acquired the interests of more than 250 mineral owners in a tax foreclosure sale. At the same time, however, the Court returned the case to the trial court for further...
San Antonio Court of Appeals Affirms Defense Summary Judgment in Death Case
The San Antonio Court of Appeals has upheld a Webb County trial court’s summary judgment in favor of oil and gas producers in a personal injury suit stemming from the death of an employee. Enrique Orta, III, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Enrique...