Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced a second wave of interim charges for the Senate, issued for committees to investigate and research ahead of the legislative session next year.
Among the topics of interest are reforms to the runoff election process; impeachment procedures; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education; and the regulation of online lottery sales.
Many of the most notable reform proposals have been given to the State Affairs Committee.
Specifically, they have been tasked with studying how to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of runoff elections. This includes considering whether the 50 percent vote threshold to avoid runoffs should be lowered, particularly when multiple candidates are in the race.
The committee is also set to “evaluate the constitutional and statutory impeachment procedures in our state” and to “make recommendations to ensure a fair and transparent process.” This comes after the high-profile impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton last year, after which he was acquitted.
The lottery is also under the microscope.
During a recent hearing of the Sunset Commission, representatives from the Texas Lottery Commission faced criticism for their seemingly lax approach toward the growing number of lottery courier companies operating in Texas. These unlicensed courier companies function as intermediaries, selling lottery tickets online to individuals while purchasing the tickets from licensed retailers.
According to a staff report from the Sunset Commission, the Legislative Budget Board estimated that couriers accounted for approximately $173 million in lottery sales last fiscal year.
Senators are to “determine whether courier services are operating legally in Texas and whether a change in law is needed to respond to technological advancements to protect children in our state and to maintain original legislative intent.”
The Higher Education Subcommittee has been charged with examining “programs and certificates at higher education institutions that maintain discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.”
This comes after recent reporting from Texas Scorecard revealed Texas A&M University is offering a certification in “Social Justice Leadership” focused on DEI principles and woke ideology.
The subcommittee is tasked with making recommendations for reforms to ensure that higher education institutions are preparing students for the job market based on merit and skill, rather than DEI-driven policies.
The new additions released today join charges previously issued in April that included property tax relief, protecting Texas land from hostile foreign ownership, and strengthening laws preventing electioneering by school districts and other political subdivisions.
“At the beginning of the 89th Legislative Session in January 2025, the Senate will hit the ground running to ensure the priorities of the conservative majority of Texans are accomplished, including school choice, continued property tax relief, and strengthening our power grid,” said Patrick.
The second round of Senate interim charges can be viewed here.
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