LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                               May 14, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Elliott Naishtat, Chair, House Committee on
               Human Services
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB374  by Zaffirini (Relating to the provision of certain
               long-term care services, to the continuation and
               functions of the Texas Department on Aging, and to the
               eventual consolidation of the Texas Department of Human
               Services and the Texas Department on Aging into a new
               agency on aging and disability services.), Committee
               Report 2nd House, as amended
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
*                                                                        *
*  The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal      *
*  basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of    *
*  the bill.                                                             *
**************************************************************************
  
The bill would transfer certain programs, funding, and employees from the
Rehabilitation Commission and the Department of Health to the Department
of Human Services.  All transfers are assumed to have no net fiscal
impact.

The bill would create two workgroups to study coordination of planning
and services between state agencies.  The bill would permit workgroup
members to receive reimbursement for travel and other expenses necessary
for participation.  It is assumed these costs could be absorbed within
existing resources, provided the General Appropriations Act authorizes
such expenditures.

The bill would change the name of the Department of Human Services to the
Department of Aging and Disability Services, abolish the Department on
Aging, and transfer all Department on Aging programs and employees to
the Department of Aging and Disability Services (effective September 1,
2003).  The bill would require the Department of Aging and Disability
Services to appoint an advisory committee known as the Aging Policy
Council.  A member of the Board on Aging immediately before the bill
takes effect could continue to serve as a member of the Aging Policy
Council until the date on which the person's term as a member of the
Board on Aging would have otherwise expired.  All transfers are assumed
to have no net fiscal impact.
  
Local Government Impact
  
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission and other
state agencies to provide resources and assistance to communities to
enable communities to develop comprehensive support services.  It is
assumed these responsibilities could be accomplished using existing
resources.
  
  
Source Agencies:   324   Department of Human Services
LBB Staff:         JK, TP, PP