MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Monday, August 15, 2016

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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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 Intergovernmental Relations was held on Monday, August 15, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair

 

Senator Larry Taylor

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Menéndez

 

The chair opened invited testimony on interim Committee charges 2, 4, 5, and 6.

 

The chair laid out interim Committee charge 2: Examine the processes used by home rule municipalities to adopt ordinances, rules, and regulations, including those initiated by petition and voter referendum. Determine if additional statutory safeguards are necessary to ensure that ballot language accurately describes proposed initiatives. Identify ways to improve transparency and make recommendations, if needed, to ensure that local propositions and the means by which they are put forth to voters, conform with existing state law.

 

Invited testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair laid out interim Committee charge 4: Study the means by which the Texas Legislature reviews the creation of municipal management districts (MMDs) by special law to determine if different processes should be used to evaluate new MMDs created within populated or developed areas from those created over undeveloped areas. Identify ways to better assess how the services and improvements of a proposed MMD within populated or developed areas will supplement and enhance those provided by other local governments, as well as if the territory of the proposed MMD encompasses or overlaps area that is already within other assessment or taxing entities. Make recommendations, if necessary, to improve the notice provided to individuals and businesses within populated or developed areas proposed for inclusion in an MMD.

 

Invited testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair laid out interim Committee charge 5: Review existing statute and rules that govern the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in light of the recent Supreme Court decision in Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. vs. TDHCA, et al. and recommend if any modifications are necessary to conform to the decision.

 

Invited testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

At 11:55 AM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

At 12:15 PM Senator Lucio resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out interim Committee charge 6: Examine ways to improve government accountability in elections regarding the issuance of public debt. Include a review of the information that is currently provided to individuals in the voting booth and provide statutory recommendations, if necessary, to improve transparency.

 

Invited testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

At 1:47 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

At 2:07 PM Senator Lucio resumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that invited testimony be closed on interim Committee charges 2, 4, 5, and 6.

 

The chair opened public testimony on interim Committee charge 2, 4, 5, and 6.

 

Public testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair moved that public testimony be closed on interim Committee charges 2, 4, 5, and 6.

 

There being no further business, at 5:28 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Senator Garcia seconded the motion. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

 

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Dilip Kanuga, Clerk