The Texas State Senate: Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
|
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
Video/Audio Archives [ 81st | 80th | 79th | 78th | 77th | 76th ]
|
82nd Session Interim
82nd First Called Session
82nd Regular Session
|
Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts
- October 9, 2012
- August 14, 2012
- July 10, 2012
- April 10, 2012
- January 10, 2012
- October 4, 2011
- July 28, 2011 — Subcommittee on Water Utilities in Rural and Unincorporated Areas
- May 3, 2011
- April 26, 2011
- April 19, 2011
- April 12, 2011
- April 5, 2011
- March 29, 2011
- March 23, 2011
- March 15, 2011
- March 8, 2011
- March 1, 2011
- February 22, 2011
- February 16, 2011
|
Reports
The following reports are available for download:
Agency Quarterly Reports to the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
(All documents are PDF format)
Select Interim Charges on Drought and Wildfire Preparedness
Assess the impact of current and anticipated drought conditions on electric generation capacity. Identify those regions of Texas that will be most affected by a lack of capacity. Analyze response plans and make recommendations to improve and expedite those plans.
Interim Charges
- Study and make recommendations for workforce training programs in Texas to ensure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs target economic growth areas and future workforce needs of the health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and information technology industries and help retain workers in those trades and fields.
- Study the state's approach to licensing and regulation of occupations to ensure protection of public welfare, trust, health, and safety and eliminate unnecessary, overly restrictive, or anti-competitive regulation. Review guidelines and other states' approaches for determining when regulation is necessary and make recommendations for improving Texas' regulatory system.
- Conduct a broad review of the Texas homeowners insurance market and make recommendations to improve transparency and consumer education, ensure fair practices, and lower rates. Specifically, consider the following:
- Compare Texas' homeowners insurance premiums with those of other states and identify the factors underlying Texas' premium levels and recommend steps that the Legislature may take to reduce homeowners' rates, if appropriate;
- Study strategies that increase awareness of state insurance resources to help consumers compare rates and coverage among various insurance providers;
- Study the relationship between insurance premiums and construction costs, especially as associated with recovery from natural disasters, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly;
- Review the use by insurers, in rating and underwriting decisions, of customer inquiries regarding the general terms or conditions of, or coverage offered under, an insurance policy.
- Study the relationship between city governments and municipally-owned utilities, including any duplicative or redundant functions, the amounts and justifications required for transfer payments between the entities, and the benefits and disadvantages of alternative governance structures.
- Analyze the state of the telecommunications market in Texas, including the costs and benefits of full deregulation of the market; the impact and viability of the Texas Universal Service Fund and Provider of Last Resort requirements; the impact of SB 980, Regular Session, 82nd Legislature, relating to telecommunications regulation and rulemaking; the availability of broadband; telecommunications service discounts; and rights-of-way charges. Make recommendations to enhance services, support the industry, and ensure adequate and affordable access for consumers.
- Study the costs and benefits of implementing a redeemable deposit program for beverage containers. Analyze the impact on Texas manufacturing of additional supplies of raw materials generated and any reduction of litter and landfill waste.
- Review current and pending ERCOT protocols as they apply to all generation technology, and identify those protocols that may provide operational, administrative, or competitive advantages to any specific generation by fuel type. Consider the impact any revisions to the protocols may have on grid reliability and electricity rates. Make recommendations for revisions or statutory changes to limit distortions in the Texas electrical market.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, review the implementation of HB 2592 and 2594 relating to payday lending, and make recommendations relating to consistency and coordination with local ordinances and federal law.
Committee Archives
81st Legislature's Business and Commerce Committee.
80th Legislature's Business and Commerce Committee.
79th Legislature's Business and Commerce Committee.
78th Legislature's Business and Commerce Committee.
77th Legislature's Business and Commerce Committee.
77th Legislature's Business and Commerce Subcommittee on Border Affairs.
76th Legislature's Senate Committee on Economic Development.
|