SRC-TNM S.B. 1688 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1688 By: Ellis State Affairs 4-13-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the federal Personal Responsibility and Reconciliation Act of 1996 requires states to provide 20 hours of work activities for 25 percent of their public assistance recipients in fiscal year 1997. Work participation requirements will increase five percent each year until 2002. Within five years, states must have 50 percent of welfare recipients working at least 30 hours a week. Other states have been successful in moving welfare recipients to work by creating a number of incentives for businesses to provide job training or employment for recipients of public assistance. S.B. 1688 would require the Texas Workforce Commission and other state agencies to give preference on contracts awarded through a competitive procurement procedure to a bidder that has received a voucher for the employment of recipients of public assistance under Section 31.072, Human Resources Code. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1688 outlines provisions regarding a preference given to bidders who hire recipients of financial assistance and services. 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 2155H, Government Code, by adding Section 2155.449, as follows: Sec. 2155.449. PREFERENCE FOR BIDDERS WHO HIRE RECIPIENTS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Sets forth instances in which the Texas Workforce Commission (commission) and state agencies are required to give preference to a bidder who has received a tax refund voucher under Section 31.072, Human Resources Code. Requires the commission and state agencies to give preference to a bidder who agrees to take certain actions. Requires Subsections (a) and (b) to apply only to a contract awarded through a competitive procurement procedure. Prohibits a bidder from retaliating against an employee who fails or refuses to reveal whether the employee receives financial assistance and services under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.