Interim Charges

The Committee shall:

1. Survey and assess Texas' current tax system, including taxation authority given to units of local government. The survey should identify the economic value associated with all current taxes, as well as current exemptions and abatements. The Committee's report should include the information provided by the survey.
2. Study the issue of rising medical costs and its impact on the state budget, including health and human services, correctional managed health care, education and state employee benefits. The Committee may review private pay insurance. The Committee's report should recommend ways to control cost increases and identify best practices and opportunities for savings.
3. Evaluate the processes by which health and human service agencies assess the demand for services and allocate their appropriations to address program demands and requested rate increases.
4. Monitor the implementation of SB 813, 77th Legislature, the creation of the Spaceport Trust Fund.
5. Review the sources of revenue dedicated to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and the purposes for which that Fund is expended. The Committee's report should recommend ways to ensure future revenues adequately address statutorily provided spending priorities.
6. Evaluate the infrastructure, capacity and funding of trauma care, and develop recommendations to address the state's trauma care needs.

Reports

The Committee shall submit copies of its final report as soon as possible, but no later than November 15, 2002. This date will allow the findings of the Committee to be considered when the Legislative Budget Board is developing performance and budget recommendations to the 78th Legislature. Copies of the final report should be sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Senate, Legislative Council, and Legislative Reference Library.

The final report of the Committee should be approved by a majority of the voting members of the Committee and include any recommended statutory changes. Draft legislation containing recommended statutory changes should be attached to the report. Recommended agency rule changes should also be attached to the report.

Senate Finance Subcommittee on Rising Medical Costs (PDF - 2.9 mb)
Crime Victims Fund Report (PDF - 144 kb)
Crime Victims Fund Appendices (PDF - 2 MB)
Spaceport Trust Fund Report (PDF - 976 kb)
Trauma Care Report (PDF - 540 kb)
Senate Finance Interim Report on Texas Taxes (PDF - 640 KB)
Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Demand Interim Report (PDF - 5.5 MB)

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Budget and Staff

The Committee shall use its existing staff and utilize the budget approved by the Senate Committee on Administration. Where appropriate, the Committee should obtain assistance from the Senate Research Center and legislative agencies, including the Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Council, and the State Auditor. The Committee should also seek the assistance of appropriate Executive Branch agencies with responsibilities in the areas related to the Committee's interim charges.

Interim Appointments

Pursuant to Section 301.041, Government Code, it may be necessary to change the membership of a committee if a member is not returning to the Legislature in 2003. This will ensure that the work of interim committees is carried forward into the 78th Legislative Session.

Committee Archives

76th Legislature's Senate Finance Committee .