Texas. Legislature. Senate. Economic Development Committee

The Committee on Economic Development is a standing committee of the Texas Senate dealing broadly with matters concerning or affecting the economic development of the state. Matters considered by the committee include insurance regulation and reform, professional licensing and certification, real estate, telecommunications, commerce and banking. Senator O.H. Harris was chair of this committee during the 68th, 69th, 70th and 71st Legislatures (1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989). Senator Temple Dickson was chair of this committee during the 72nd Legislature (1991-1992), Senator Carl Parker was chair during the 73rd Legislature (1993-1994), and Senator David Sibley served as chair during the 74th through 77th Legislatures (1995-2001). In 2001 the committee was renamed the Business and Commerce Committee.

The Senate Subcommittee on Insurance was appointed by the President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, at the beginning of the 72nd Legislature in January 1991 to serve the Senate and the Economic Development Committee on insurance-related legislation. The Subcommittee on Insurance was composed of five senators; Senator Carl Parker was chairman. The Subcommittee on Insurance was in existence for only the 72nd legislative session. Much of the subcommittee's work in 1991-1992 involved two pieces of insurance reform legislation passed by the 72nd Legislature: House Bill 2, the Omnibus Insurance Reform Bill, Regular Session, and House Bill 62, 2nd Called Session. The subcommittee then monitored the implementation of this legislation by the Texas Department of Insurance. Both pieces of legislation were related to the regulation of the insurance industry, including the powers and duties of the Texas Department of Insurance, punishment for certain criminal offenses relating to the business of insurance, and motor vehicle financial responsibility. At the start of the 73rd Legislature in January 1993, the Subcommittee on Insurance was not reappointed and its duties were absorbed by the Senate Economic Development Committee.

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