By:  Zaffirini                                         S.R. No. 841

                                  SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-1           BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, 75th

 1-2     Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, That Senate Rule 12.03 be

 1-3     suspended in part as provided by Senate Rule 12.08 to enable the

 1-4     conference committee appointed to resolve the differences on Senate

 1-5     Bill No. 273 to consider and take action on the following matters:

 1-6           (1)  Senate Rules 12.03(3) and (4) are suspended to permit

 1-7     the committee to add text in proposed Section 403.026(b),

 1-8     Government Code, to read as follows:

 1-9                 (6)  the Texas Department of Insurance, appointed by

1-10     the commissioner of insurance;

1-11                 (7)  the office of the attorney general, appointed by

1-12     the attorney general; and

1-13                 (8)  consumer groups representing senior citizen

1-14     interests, appointed by the executive director of the Texas

1-15     Department on Aging.

1-16           Explanation:  This change is necessary to include

1-17     representatives of the Texas Department of Insurance, the office of

1-18     the attorney general, and consumer groups on the interagency work

1-19     group so that the group is able to provide comprehensive

1-20     information to the comptroller for inclusion in the senior citizen

1-21     consumer guide.

1-22           (2)  Senate Rule 12.03(1) is suspended to permit the

1-23     committee to change text in proposed Section 403.026(i), Government

 2-1     Code, from "Subsections (b)(2)-(5)" to "Subsections (b)(2)-(7)".

 2-2           Explanation:  This change is necessary to provide the correct

 2-3     reference to "Subsections (b)(2)-(7)" to reflect the additional

 2-4     representatives added to the interagency work group and identified

 2-5     in Item (1) of this resolution.

 2-6           (3)  Senate Rules 12.03(3) and (4) are suspended to permit

 2-7     the committee to add text in proposed Section 403.026, Government

 2-8     Code, to read as follows:

 2-9           (l)  To the extent practicable, the comptroller shall ensure

2-10     that the guide is available to the public in a large-print format

2-11     and in other alternate formats as necessary to enable all consumers

2-12     to use the guide.

2-13           (m)  In conducting the work needed to develop the statewide

2-14     consumer guide for senior citizens, the interagency work group

2-15     shall consult with consumer and provider groups involved in the

2-16     delivery of long-term care services.

2-17           (n)  The work group shall also develop and submit to the

2-18     comptroller:

2-19                 (1)  a list of necessary senior services that are not

2-20     generally available;

2-21                 (2)  recommendations for improving coordinated delivery

2-22     of a continuum of care for senior citizens; and

2-23                 (3)  recommendations relating to a comprehensive bill

2-24     of rights for senior citizens.

2-25           Explanation:  This change is necessary to ensure that the

 3-1     senior citizen consumer guide is available in large-print and other

 3-2     alternate formats and to ensure that the working group is fully

 3-3     utilized by requiring the group to develop broad recommendations

 3-4     relating to senior citizens and aging.

 3-5           (4)  Senate Rule 12.03(3) is suspended to permit the

 3-6     committee to add text in proposed Section 101.031(b), Human

 3-7     Resources Code, to read as follows:

 3-8     The agency shall make the guide available in a large-print format

 3-9     and in alternate formats as necessary to enable all senior citizens

3-10     to use the guide.

3-11           Explanation:  This change is necessary to ensure that the

3-12     senior citizen consumer guide is available in large-print and other

3-13     alternate formats.

3-14                                  ______________________________________

3-15                                          President of the Senate

3-16                                       I hereby certify that the above

3-17                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

3-18                                  on May 23, 1997, by the following vote:

3-19                                  Yeas 25, Nays 0.

3-20                                  ______________________________________

3-21                                          Secretary of the Senate

3-22                                  ______________________________________

3-23                                            Member, Texas Senate