MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

9:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government was held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

 

Senator Roland Gutierrez

Senator José Menéndez, Vice Chair

 

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Angela Paxton

 

 

Senator Drew Springer

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:42 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: the following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Angela Paxton.

 

The Chair laid out the following interim charges on property tax reform and appraisal reform: Review the effect of Senate Bill 2 (86th Legislature), the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019, and related legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Make recommendations for further property tax reform and relief.  Review the implementation of Senate Bill 63, House Bill 988, and other related legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Make recommendations to ensure appraisal guidelines are effective and taxpayers have enforcement mechanisms.

Witnesses providing invited and public testimony are shown on the attached list.

 

 

At 1:01 PM Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

 

At 1:17 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out the following interim charge on efficiency audits: Study the concept of efficiency audits for cities, counties and special purpose districts and under what circumstances they should be performed. Evaluate whether efficiency audits provide Texans tools to combat wasteful government spending and report whether they are needed before local government tax ratification elections.

 

Witnesses providing invited and public testimony are shown on the attached list.

 

There being no further business, at 5:11 PM Senator Zaffirini moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

 

 

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Bradley Hurt, Clerk