SRC-JFA H.B. 587 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 587
By: Hunter (Shapleigh)
Health & Human Services
5-12-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The Texas Council Risk Management Fund Board (TCRMF) has requested that
certain statutory amendments be made to clarify the ability of community
centers to take advantage of the cost savings and advantages of "pooling"
their employee group benefits programs under Chapter 172, Local Government
Code.  Clarifying that community centers are "political subdivisions"
under Chapter 172, Local Government Code, will increase the ability of
these entities to pool their employee benefits programs.  This will
improve benefit plans, lower costs, and improve employee morale at
community centers.  Clarifying that community centers are "local
governments" will help increase the centers' ability to pool employee
group benefits programs, as well as support the existing product lines of
the TCRMF.  The TCRMF has saved community centers millions of dollars
during its eight year existence, both in actual costs and through its loss
prevention services.  This bill would expand the definition of community
centers in order to improve their abilities to function and provide for
their employees.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 587 expands the definition of community centers in order
to improve their abilities to function and provide for their employees.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 534.001(c), Health and Safety Code, to provide
that a community center is, among other things, a local government for the
purposes of Chapter 1084, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular Session,
1987 (Article 715c, V.T.C.S.); and a political subdivision for the
purposes of Chapter 172, Local Government Code.   

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.