This week I will continue discussing the interim charges for House committees. The charges are good indicators of what legislation the legislature will take up during the next session. Interim charges are the issues that the Speaker asks committees to study during the time between regular legislative sessions in order to make recommendations for legislation for the following legislative session. Legislators rely on public input when crafting legislation, and it is important that they hear from people during the interim. This week I will review the charges for the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to: all bills and resolutions proposing to raise state revenue; all bills or resolutions proposing to levy state taxes or other fees; all proposals to modify, amend, or change any existing state tax or revenue statute; all proposals to regulate the manner of collection of state revenues and taxes; all bills and resolutions containing provisions resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury; all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise would be placed in the state treasury; all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a local government to raise revenue; all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a local government to levy or impose property taxes, sales and use taxes, or other taxes and fees; all proposals to modify, amend, or change any existing local government tax or revenue statute; all proposals to regulate the manner of collection of local government revenues and taxes; all bills and resolutions relating to the appraisal of property for taxation; and all bills and resolutions relating to the Tax Code.
House Committee on Ways and Means
Monitor the revised franchise tax and identify changes to simplify the tax and improve compliance and fairness.
Examine the state's major tax exemptions to determine how the current costs and benefits compare with the original legislative objectives. Make recommendations for adjustments as needed.
Study methods for improving the quality and uniformity of, and communications to taxpayers about, property tax appraisals.
Evaluate the impact of the transfer of administrative law judges from the Comptroller's Office to the State Office of Administrative Hearings on the dispute resolution process.
Study the tax structure as applied to cable versus satellite service to determine if any unfair competition results from state tax policies.
Monitor the implementation of property tax appraisal and alternative valuation appeal reforms enacted by the 81st Legislature.
Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction: the Office of Multistate Tax Compact Commissioner for Texas and the State Comptroller of Public Accounts.
The House Committee on Ways and Means can be reached at (512) 463-0822. For more information on these charges or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.