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.

As a standing committee (according to the Texas Administrative Code, Section 301, Subchapter B), the Economic Development Committee is expected to operate regardless of whether or not the Legislature is currently in session and must do the following: conduct a continuing study of any matter within its jurisdiction and of the instrumentalities of government administering or executing the matter; examine the administration and execution of all laws relating to jurisdictional matters; conduct investigations to collect adequate information and materials necessary to perform its duties; formulate legislative programs; and initiate, draft, and recommend to the Senate any legislation the committee deems necessary and desirable. The committee chair must introduce or cause to be introduced the legislative programs developed by the committee and shall mobilize efforts to secure the passage of such proposals. The committee may inspect the records, documents, and files of each state department, agency, or office, as needed, to perform its duties. As a standing committee, it is not limited to considering items submitted by individual legislators, but must search for problems within its jurisdiction and develop, formulate, initiate, and secure passage of any legislative solution the committee deems desirable. When the legislature is in session, the committee may meet when it chooses, so long as it adheres to applicable legislative requirements and rules of procedure. When the legislature is not in session, it will meet when necessary to transact the committee's business wherever authorized by the legislation which created the committee.

From the guide to the Records, 1974-1999, (Repository Unknown)