(The Center Square) – Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has announced interim charges for the next legislative session, which begins next year.
Interim charges are directives for state lawmakers to consider as they prepare legislation for the next legislative session. They outline legislative priorities to guide the legislative session. The Texas legislature meets every two years in odd years.
Burrows’ legislative priorities “build on recent legislative successes, enhance accountability, eliminate inefficiencies, ensure effective implementation of key priorities, and lay the groundwork for another productive session next year,” he said in a statement.
“Following a legislative session defined by historic solutions, it is critical the Texas House remains engaged in thoughtful policymaking and oversight as our state continues to grow and advance,” he said. “These interim charges reflect a commitment to building on that progress while further empowering committee chairs to identify fraud, waste, and abuse and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
Lt. Gov. Pan Patrick, who leads the Texas Senate, announced his first round of legislative priorities in January. They include preventing Sharia law, property tax reform, securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity among other issues, The Center Square reported. He generally announces them over time and recently announced committee assignments.
Burrows published his entire legislative priorities in a 53-page document. They are categorized by committees and topics, including agriculture and livestock, appropriations, public safety and law enforcement issues, culture and tourism, government efficiency, election integrity, energy resources, environmental regulation, education, among many others. Each category lists recently enacted laws for members to monitor and evaluate.
The priorities include “strengthening Texas’ economy and improving affordability through further tax relief, regulatory reform, and efforts to reduce insurance costs,” Burrows said. They also include “commonsense public safety measures, enhancing emergency response and coordination, and reinforcing protections against our foreign adversaries.”
The legislative priorities also “identify new opportunities to support Texas teachers and students, preparing Texans for success in high-demand careers.” As Texas continues to gain more residents, Texas “must safeguard critical resources while responsibly embracing innovation to ensure that growth benefits all Texans,” he said.
He also established three new bipartisan select committees to address key issues related to government accountability, health care access, and rural economic development.
The first is a 13-member House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight. It is tasked with “broad jurisdiction over matters related to the accountability and integrity of state and local governments.”
Reps. Cody Vasut and Armando Walle were appointed chair and vice-chair, respectively. Other members include Richard Hayes, Brooks Landgraf, Mitch Little, AJ Louderback, Christian Manuel, Eddie Morales, Richard Raymond, Shelby Slawson, Carl Tepper, Ellen Troxclair and Erin Zwiener.
The second is an 11 member House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability. It was created to “provide a cross-jurisdictional forum to examine factors impacting health care costs and access for Texans.”
Its chair and vice-chair are Reps. James Frank and Toni Rose, respectively. Other members include Reps. Daniel Alders, Jay Dean, Mary Gonzales, Suleman Lalani, Shelley Luther, Tom Oliverson, Lauren Ashley Simmons, Denise Villalobos and Trey Wharton.
The third is a nine member House Select Committee on General Aviation. It was established to “advance aviation infrastructure across Texas, supporting rural economic growth, improving transportation access and emergency services, and promoting aviation safety.”
Reps. Keith Bell and Armando Martinez were appointed chair and vice-chair, respectively. Other members include Reps. Terry Canales, Philip Cortez, Pat Curry, Gary Gates, Cole Hefner, John McQueeney and Mary Ann Perez.
