House Committee on Appropriations - 77th R.S. (2001)
Committee Members
- Robert Junell, Chair
- G.E. 'Buddy' West, Vice Chair
- Ray Allen
- Garnet Coleman
- Dianne White Delisi
- Craig Eiland
- Jessica Farrar
- Ismael "Kino" Flores
- Pete Gallego
- Helen Giddings
- Bob Glaze
- Roberto Gutierrez
- Peggy Hamric
- Talmadge Heflin
- Scott Hochberg
- Kyle L. Janek
- Tracy O. King
- Vilma Luna
- Glen Maxey
- Jim McReynolds
- Paul Moreno
- Anna Mowery
- Joe C. Pickett
- Jim Pitts
- Robert Puente
- Todd Smith
- Sylvester Turner
Charges
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Monitor the condition of the Texas economy. Develop information on a regular basis reflecting actual and projected expenditures in major state programs, revenues to the state, and caseloads in major programs viewed as budget drivers. With the assistance of the Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Legislative Budget Office, assess on a regular basis the balance and projected balance of revenues and expenditures for the biennium.
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Actively monitor performance of state agencies and institutions, including performance measures, operating budgets and plans to carry out legislative initiatives, caseload projections, and other matters affecting the fiscal condition of the agencies and the state. The reviews should also consider opportunities to relocate programs to areas outside of Travis County.
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Review the history of the state's use of bonds and other instruments of debt financing to determine where and why debt financing has increased, the nature of the assets financed in this way, and whether increasing debt poses a risk to our state's fiscal soundness. Review and monitor debt issuance guidelines developed under HB 2190 77th R.S., and consider whether further measures are necessary.
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Review the major state administered health insurance plans including Medicaid, state employee, public school employee and retiree, CHIP, SKIP, and higher education, to assess the reasonableness of costs to the state and the insureds. The review should consider overall premium levels, coverages, out-of-pocket costs, health and utilization characteristics of the insured populations, health care provider reimbursement rates, administration of the plans (third party administrators, use of various forms of managed care) and any other factors affecting costs. To the extent feasible, comparisons to similar plans in the private sector and other governmental jurisdictions should be made. (Joint with House Committee on Insurance)
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Examine the cost impacts on the state budget and the pension funds of allowing state and certain school district employees to return to work while receiving retirement benefits. Consider policy issues raised by such action, including differences in current law between state employees and teachers. Specifically consider the practice of "retiring-in-place." (Joint with House Committee on Pensions and Investments)
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Study the extent and causes of the state's shortage of educational professionals, including public school teachers and principals. Consider measures the state and local school districts might take to reduce the shortage or mitigate its effects. (Joint with the House Committee on Public Education)
Notes
No report was issued.
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