By Zaffirini                                           S.R. No. 841

         75R16162 KKA-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 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

1-24     Code, from "Subsections (b)(2)-(5)" to "Subsections (b)(2)-(7)".

 2-1           Explanation:  This change is necessary to provide the correct

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

 2-3     representatives added to the interagency work group and identified

 2-4     in Item (1) of this resolution.

 2-5           (3)  Senate Rules 12.03(3) and (4) are suspended to permit

 2-6     the committee to add text in proposed Section 403.026, Government

 2-7     Code, to read as follows:

 2-8           (l)  To the extent practicable, the comptroller shall ensure

 2-9     that the guide is available to the public in a large-print format

2-10     and in other alternate formats as necessary to enable all consumers

2-11     to use the guide.

2-12           (m)  In conducting the work needed to develop the statewide

2-13     consumer guide for senior citizens, the interagency work group

2-14     shall consult with consumer and provider groups involved in the

2-15     delivery of long-term care services.

2-16           (n)  The work group shall also develop and submit to the

2-17     comptroller:

2-18                 (1)  a list of necessary senior services that are not

2-19     generally available;

2-20                 (2)  recommendations for improving coordinated delivery

2-21     of a continuum of care for senior citizens; and

2-22                 (3)  recommendations relating to a comprehensive bill

2-23     of rights for senior citizens.

2-24           Explanation:  This change is necessary to ensure that the

2-25     senior citizen consumer guide is available in large-print and other

2-26     alternate formats and to ensure that the working group is fully

2-27     utilized by requiring the group to develop broad recommendations

 3-1     relating to senior citizens and aging.

 3-2           (4)  Senate Rule 12.03(3) is suspended to permit the

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

 3-4     Resources Code, to read as follows:

 3-5     The agency shall make the guide available in a large-print format

 3-6     and in alternate formats as necessary to enable all senior citizens

 3-7     to use the guide.

 3-8           Explanation:  This change is necessary to ensure that the

 3-9     senior citizen consumer guide is available in large-print and other

3-10     alternate formats.