SRC-ARR, JWD S.B. 12 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 12
76R1110 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini
Human Services
2/10/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not provide for a welfare reform legislative
oversight committee.  When Texas' welfare waiver expires in 2002, many
individuals who are exempt from work participation rate requirements
through the state waiver no longer will be eligible for welfare, but may
still require services such as job training and child care. With the loss
of federal benefits, those financial responsibilities likely will shift to
the state. S.B.12 creates a welfare reform legislative oversight committee
to ensure that the state is prepared to meet the needs of those recipients
by continuing to provide them with quality services prior to and during the
transition from the state welfare to federal laws. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 12 establishes the welfare reform legislative oversight
committee to monitor the effect of federal and state welfare reform changes
and make legislative recommendations.  

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 31, Human Resources Code, by adding Subchapter E,
as follows:  

SUBCHAPTER E. LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT 
 
 Sec. 31.081. DEFINITION. Defines "committee." 

Sec. 31.082. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE; PRESIDING OFFICER. Sets forth the
membership and leadership of the welfare reform legislative oversight
committee.  

Sec. 31.083. COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES.  Defines the powers and duties of
the committee.  Authorizes the committee to request information from the
Texas Department of Human Services, the Texas Workforce Commission, and
other state agencies as necessary. Requires the committee to use the
existing staff resources of the senate and house of representatives to
assist the committee in performing its duties.   

Sec. 31.084. REPORT. Requires the committee to report to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the
results of the committee's activities. Requires the report to include
recommendations for legislative action.  

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.