JKC H.C.R. 136 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HUMAN SERVICES H.C.R. 136 By: Hilderbran 4-9-97 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND On January 16, 1997, the Texas Board on Aging adopted a motion to have the Department on Aging undertake an initiative-AGING TEXAS WELL-to help the state prepare for the aging of Texas. The Texas Department on Aging is statutorily charged with conducting studies and surveys on the special problems of the aged and making recommendations to the appropriate state and federal leaders. The Department's mission is to be the "state's visible advocate and leader . . . so that older people [may] live dignified, independent and productive lives." Legislative endorsement of the initiative is being sought through House and Senate concurrent resolutions sponsored by the chairs of the substantive oversight committees. PURPOSE The State of Texas needs to prepare for the aging of Texas. This resolution endorses the efforts of the Texas Department on Aging, in cooperation with elected officials and other groups, to help Texas prepare. During the decade of the 1990s, the number of Texans age 60 and older will increase by more than 18 percent; the percent age 75 and older will increase by almost 32 percent. Between 1997 and 2010, the number of older Texans will increase by more than 500,000 persons and by almost two million persons by 2020. As the number of older Texans rapidly increases, public policy will have to change to reflect a changed society. It is also important that the individual Texans who will make up this aging population prepare to age well. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS The concurrent resolution cites the following factors as an indication that the Texas Department on Aging's initiative is needed: _the rapidly increasing elderly population of Texas and the transformations this will bring about in the state; _the role of the Texas Department on Aging in helping the state prepare for the growing number of elderly Texans; _devolution of federal programs to the state; _the federal government's similar efforts to plan for an aging society; and _the need for the state to undertake planning efforts as the elderly population increases. The resolution provides that the 75th Legislature endorse the efforts of the Texas Department on Aging to promote the formation of a partnership of state government agencies and elected officials to identify and address major policy issues related to the aging of the population of Texas. The resolution further provides that the 75th Legislature support the efforts of the Texas Department on Aging to help individual Texans prepare holistically for their aging. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS The committee amendment includes the name of the program, "Aging Texas Well" into the resolution.