The House Committee on County Affairs

84th Legislature

August 4, 2016

10:00 a.m.

Tarrant County (see below)

Tarrant County College

Trinity River Campus Auditorium

300 Trinity Campus Circle

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Pursuant to a notice posted on July 27, 2016, the House Committee on County Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Coleman, at 10:10 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Coleman; Burrows; Romero, Jr.; Spitzer; and Stickland.

A quorum was present.

(Representatives Turner, Chris; Klick; Shaheen present.)

The committee heard testimony on the following interim charges:

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 Tinderholt 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.

(Representative Romero, Jr. in chair.)

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.

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.

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 4:43 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