Texas House Committee Interim Charges are Here

Speaker Joe Straus just released the interim charges for the 81st Legislative Session. As Chairman of the House Committee on County Affairs, I thank Speaker Straus for his work in developing these thoughtful committee charges. The recommendations the Committee on County Affairs develops will form the basis for legislation for the 82nd Legislative Session.

I look forward to holding public hearings and receiving input on the charges. Work on the charges will be carried out with the maximum amount of public input, along with the expertise and knowledge of all stakeholders.

We will bring back a report that reflects the variety of views within the 254 counties in the state of Texas. Click here to see a complete list of Interim Committee Charges for the 81st Legislature.

The House Committee on County Affairs was charged with six individual charges:

1. Study the current practices and tools available to counties to manage growth and development. Consider incompatible land uses and county rulemaking authority, including rulemaking authority bracketed to counties of a certain population.

2. Study county-level health care delivery models for indigent health care that emphasize community-based care to improve the continuity and quality of care. Compare urban and rural health care delivery models and make necessary legislative recommendations.

3. Study county oversight related to pretrial release on bond in criminal cases.

4. Examine how local governments can better inform the public about local government debts.

5. Survey rural economic development programs. Analyze the economic relationship between rural communities and the agriculture industry and their combined impact on the state's economy. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

6. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.


Click here to see a complete list of Interim Committee Charges for the 81st Legislature.