HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

 

COMMITTEE:    Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV & V 

TIME & DATE:  N/A
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 

PLACE:       N/A 
CHAIR:       Rep. Oscar Longoria 

 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in scheduling public

hearings at this time, the House Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee

on Articles 1, 4, and 5 is conducting necessary oversight functions through an information gathering process under Section 301.014, Government Code.

 

This is notice that the committee is seeking information and input from

the public. Submissions received in response to this request will be

transmitted to members of the committee and posted on the House website at

https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/?committee=C013.

 

Submission Guidelines

·                Submissions must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF.

·                Submissions are requested to be limited to 5 pages in length.

·                Please submit a separate document for each topic to which you are responding.

·                Submissions must be submitted via e-mail to Appropriations@house.texas.gov and are requested to include “ART145” in the first part of the Subject for quick identification.

·                Please include the following information in the submission email: submitter name, organization or entity (if applicable and an authorized representative), mailing address, email, and telephone number.

·                The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, September 30.

·                Comments received in response to this Request for Information will be publicly posted on TLO, TLIS, and the House website. When submitting comments, please remove any personal identifying information, such as your personal phone number, residence address, or e-mail address.

 

Topics:

 

Interim Charge 1: Monitor the agencies and programs under Articles I, IV, and V, and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature.

 

Interim Charge 2: Monitor the use of additional funds provided to the Department of Public Safety for driver license services improvements and construction of new driver license service centers. Evaluate the progress being made to reduce wait times at service centers throughout the

state.

 

Interim Charge 3: Monitor use of state funding to increase forensic testing and reduce the sexual assault kit backlog.

 

Interim Charge 4: Evaluate funding provided to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for the repair, maintenance, and upgrade of prison facilities. Determine areas of the facilities that are in most need of repair, maintenance, or upgrade and examine the costs associated with such

repairs, maintenance, or upgrades. Examine the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee's administration of Hepatitis C treatment and procedures. Review the Community Justice Assistance Division's current compliance practices and examine current funding formulas for adult probation departments. Study the TDCJ's ownership of real property not being used for prison facilities, including the amount of property owned and its highest and best use. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Corrections)

 

Interim Charge 5: Monitor efforts by the Office of the Attorney General to redevelop the Texas Child Support Enforcement System.

 

Interim Charge 6: Examine the major cost drivers within and the impact of funding provided to the Correctional Managed Health Care program.

 

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In the event it becomes feasible to safely conduct a public meeting, the

Committee reserves the right to hold an in-person hearing on these

charges.