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.