The House Committee on County Affairs
84th Legislature
July 7, 2016
10:00 a.m.
The Harris County Commissioners Court
1001 Preston, 9th Floor, Houston, TX, 77002
Pursuant to a notice posted on June 29, 2016, revised on July 5, 2016, the House Committee on County Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Garnet Coleman, at 10:06 a.m.
The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Coleman; Burrows; Lujan; Romero, Jr.; Stickland; and Wu.
A quorum was present.
Representative Peña and Representative Vo were present.
The committee heard invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
Study the effectiveness and efficiency of current programs in Texas as well as best practices to determine how to decrease the risk and mitigate the impact of wildfires, floods, and other natural hazards in the wildland-urban interface. Examine the duties, performance, and jurisdictions of water districts, municipalities, Emergency Services Districts, other similar districts, and state offices like the Fire Marshal and Extension Services. Evaluate current regulations and identify best practices. Recommend approaches for hazard mitigation and response to natural disasters.
Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and
d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
· Child Protective Services
(Representative Thompson, Senfronia now present.)
Evaluate the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to determine if the Commission has the resources and structure to provide sufficient oversight, regulation, and enforcement over Texas county jails.
Study the implications and effects on law enforcement agencies and individuals that stem from the publication, republication, or other dissemination for public internet access of mug shots and other criminal history information regarding involvement of an individual in the criminal justice system.
Study statutorily mandated services provided by sheriffs and constables, and determine whether fee schedules allow cost recovery without placing undue burdens on recipients of those services.
Identify and address potential gaps in counties’ cybersecurity policies and ensure that personal information held by counties and other local governmental entities is secure.
Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and
d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
· 1115 Transformation Waiver
At 4:42 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.
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Rep. Coleman, Chair
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Katy Reagan, Clerk