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.