SRC-TNM S.B. 1067 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1067
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
3-22-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, a substantial number of legal immigrants utilize federal
welfare.  However, in recent years, federal welfare reform has eliminated
over $500 million in social security income and food stamp benefits to
legal immigrants in Texas.  S.B. 1067 would assist legal immigrants in
becoming United States citizens and adjusting to a loss of federal welfare
by creating grant programs. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1067 outlines provisions regarding assistance for
certain legal immigrants. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Department of Human Services
under SECTION 1, (Section 22.032, Human Resources Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 22, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
22.032, as follows: 

Sec. 22.032. ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Requires the Texas
Department of Human Services, by rule, to develop a grant program to
assist legal immigrants who are ineligible for public assistance benefits
solely because of their immigration status.  Sets forth instances in
which, subject to the availability of funds, the program is required to
provide grants. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.