Speaker Dade Phelan recently released his list of interim charges for the Texas House, providing a framework of what that chamber’s committees will work on for the rest of the year. In this special edition of the TCDD Legislative News, you can learn more about what interim charges are, what charges are on the House’s list, and what advocates can do now that those charges have been issued.

What Are Interim Charges?

The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for 140 days every two years. In Capitol jargon, the word “interim” refers to the time frame between these regular sessions. Lawmakers typically spend the interim conducting oversight of state agencies, reviewing the implementation of new laws, and investigating new areas of concern. These tasks are largely guided by what are known as “interim charges.” As defined by the Texas Legislative Council, an interim charge is, “a directive to study a certain issue during the interim that is issued by the Lieutenant Governor to a senate committee or by the Speaker of the House to a House committee.” Lawmakers, advocates, and stakeholders commonly submit interim charge recommendations hoping to influence what ends up on each chamber’s batch of directives. For instance, TCDD has provided its own suggestions in recent years, and a few of those items have been included on the final list. Once interim charges have been distributed, committees will meet, take input, study the assigned topics, and produce a report based on their findings. This report may then result in legislation to be considered in the next regular session.

What Should Advocates Do Now?

Advocates should review the full set of interim charges, including those listed in the next section, and determine if there are any of interest. If so, they should consider reaching out to their lawmakers and providing feedback on the topic, especially if their representative is on the committee looking into that issue. Advocates might also want to provide testimony on the matter to a committee at a public hearing. To find out who represents you in the House or Senate, go to the Who Represents Me page on the Capitol website. The site can also be used to find committee membership for the House and Senate, and to sign up to receive alerts when committee hearings are scheduled.

House Interim Charges

On March 10, 2022, Phelan released the House’s list of interim charges. The following list includes some of the interim charges issued by the House that might impact people with disabilities either directly or indirectly. Committee on Appropriations Review the Texas Education Agency’s and local school districts’ use of federal dollars from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds made available by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No. 116-260) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law. 117-2) to address students’ instructional loss and mental health needs. Committee on Corrections For individuals in county jails and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facilities, or on community supervision or parole, examine:

• the availability of behavioral health services; and
• the current treatment and recovery options available for those who are experiencing withdrawal from drug or alcohol use.

Make recommendations for best practices to address the needs of individuals requiring treatment. (This is a joint charge with the Committee on County Affairs.) Committee on County Affairs For individuals in county jails and TDCJ facilities, or on community supervision or parole, examine:

• the availability of behavioral health services; and
• the current treatment and recovery options available for those who are experiencing withdrawal from drug or alcohol use.

Make recommendations for best practices to address the needs of individuals requiring treatment. (This is a joint charge with the Committee on Corrections.) Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence Study the accessibility to counsel in cases involving an indigent defendant and make recommendations to improve access to counsel in these cases. Evaluate methods to improve the effectiveness of court-appointed counsel, caseload processing, caseload distribution, and the state’s compliance with applicable appointment of counsel requirements. Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Review state efforts to preserve and develop Texas state parks and open spaces to ensure affordable public access to outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs Examine programs and funding streams connected to services that improve mental health outcomes for veterans and members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Evaluate the needs of veterans and their families as they return to civilian life, including access to employment, education, housing, counseling, and mental health services. Make recommendations to ensure coordination between state agencies to create a positive environment for veterans transitioning back into communities across the state. Committee on Elections Study the effectiveness of new poll watcher training required by Senate Bill (SB) 1 (8752). Committee on Human Services Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

• Legislation implementing the Healthy Families, Healthy Texas initiative, including:
  • House Bill (HB) 133, relating to the provision of benefits under Medicaid and the Healthy Texas Women program.
  • Relevant provisions of HB 2658, relating to the administration and operation of the Medicaid managed care program, especially those provisions that relate to continuous Medicaid eligibility for children.
  • HB 3041, related to the implementation of the Family Preservation Services Pilot Program.
• Monitor implementation of SB 1, the Health and Human Services Commission’s Rider 30, and make recommendations for reducing the interest list for waiver services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and reducing associated staffing shortages. Examine the long-term services and support system of care in Texas. Study workforce challenges for both institutional and community services. Assess opportunities to improve patient safety and senior-living facilities. Consider mechanisms to promote a stable, sustainable, and quality-based long-term care system to address current and future needs of the state.

Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Additionally, Phelan created two interim committees to study the topics of Criminal Justice Reform and Health Care Reform. While their charges do not specifically reference disability issues, the committees’ work might impact people with disabilities. The Senate has not yet released its list of interim charges to be studied. This list is expected to be announced sometime within the next month. TCDD will provide an update when the Senate releases its interim charges.