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.
Business Court Dismisses Plaintiffs’ Conversion Claim Under Rule 91a in Dispute Between Investors in a Brewery
The Business Court has granted Defendants’ Rule 91a motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ conversion claim based on a restructuring of LLC members’ interests in a Houston brewery. Duncan C. Carrington and Zachary Hiller v. Aaron Corsi, Ryan Soroka, Seaan M. Rosenbaum;...
We Ask Again: Why is the 15th Court of Appeals Deciding a Health Care Liability Dispute Between Private Parties?
A while back we expressed some puzzlement about why the statewide 15th Court of Appeals was receiving cases outside of its statutory mandate by way of docket equalization. Yesterday, for example, the court issued an opinion in a health care liability action brought by...
Business Court Sends Louisiana Antitrust Claim to Louisiana, But Denies Rule 91a Motion to Dismiss Louisiana DTPA Claims
The Business Court has dismissed a Louisiana entity’s claim that Texas defendants violated Louisiana antitrust law in connection with a clean hydrogen development deal. The entity’s claim that they likewise violated Louisiana’s DPTA, however, are staying put for the...