Association Members Will Likely Want to Keep Watch Over This Senate Committee
TEXPERS System Members will likely keep an eye on the Senate Committee on State Affairs, which reviews legislation under its purview, including pension regulations, during the 88th Legislative Session.
Assignments to the committee were recently announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Jan. 23. Sen. Bryan Huges, R-Mineola, is chairing the 11-member committee. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, serves as the committee's vice chair.
The other committee members are:
- Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
- Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury
- Morgan LaMantia, D-South Padre Island
- José Menéndez, D-San Antonio
- Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston
- Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound
- Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
- Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
- Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo
Find out more about the Senate Committee on State Affair's members, access the committee schedule, and watch video feeds of meetings on the committee's website.
During the 87th Legislative Session, the committee consisted of nine members - six Republicans and three Democrats. Sen. Hughes returns to the 88th Legislative Session as chair of the committee, and Sen. Paxton takes over as vice chair from Sen. Birdwell, who was in the position last legislative session.
Senate Rules stipulate that the lieutenant governor, who serves as the President of the Senate, sets up committees for the Texas State Senate. At the start of each legislative session, committees are formed.
A committee's quorum is constituted of appointed members. There is no ex officio membership of the lieutenant governor on any committee.
How The Committee Will Work
The following steps illustrate the cycle that a bill goes through.
- First, a bill is introduced by a member of a state legislature.
- Typically, the next thing a member of the senate or house leadership does with the bill is refer it to a committee.
- The committee members are then responsible for focusing on the bill's details.
- From there, public hearings are held.
- Afterward, the bill's merits are discussed and decided upon.
Additional Senate Committee Announcements
The Senate State Affairs Committee isn't the only committee announcement Lt. Gov. Patrick made on Jan. 23.
Here are the additional committees:
Senate Committee on Administration
Bob Hall, Chair
Drew Springer, Vice Chair
Carol Alvarado
Nathan Johnson
José Menéndez
Mayes Middleton
Tan Parker
Senate Committee on Border Security
Brian Birdwell, Chair
Peter Flores, Vice Chair
César Blanco
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Phil King
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Committee on Education, Subcommittee on Higher Education
Senate Committee on Finance
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Senate Committee on Local Government
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
Senate Committee on Nominations
Senate Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
TEXPERS, along with the Association's Legislative Committee and government affairs consultant, is monitoring the sessions, especially for any actions regarding public employee pensions. TEXPERS staff will regularly update this blog with the latest happenings that may interest trustees and administrators of public employee retirement systems.