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.