SRC-SLL H.B. 1909 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1909 By: Maxey (Truan) Health & Human Services 5-15-97 Engrossed DIGEST The 74th Legislature created a pilot program implementing fill-the-gap budgeting for certain families. Fill-the-gap budgeting is a system of budgeting in which benefits are gradually lowered using a percentage of the difference between the standard of need and the countable income to calculate the grand benefit. Through the use of fill-the-gap budgeting, the individual is no longer penalized for finding employment by being immediately cut off from public assistance programs. This bill will provide regulations regarding methods used to extend the period of supported employment for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1909 provide regulations regarding methods used to extend the period of supported employment for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. 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 Chapter 31B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 31.043, as follows: Sec. 31.043. FILL-THE-GAP BUDGETING. Requires the Texas Department of Human Services (department), subject to the availability of funds, to use a form of fill-the-gap budgeting or another method under which the department disregards earnings of family members who obtain employment while receiving the assistance to extend the period of supported employment for families who receive financial assistance under this chapter. Defines "fill-the-gap budgeting." SECTION 2. Amends Sections 7.06(c) and (e), Chapter 655, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, to require the department to notify members of the 76th and 77th, rather than 75th and 76th, legislatures of the filing of the report. Provides that this section expires September 1, 2001, rather 1999. SECTION 3. Requires the department to revise the pilot program established by Section 7.06, Chapter 655, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, as necessary to implement statewide the "fill-the-gap budgeting" program prescribed by Section 31.043, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.