HBA-NRS H.B. 102 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 102 By: Maxey Human Services 2/10/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law allows for the use of an electronic fingerprint-imaging or photo-imaging program of adult and teen parent applicants for and recipients of financial assistance and services from the Texas Department of Human Services. A report by the LBJ School of Public Affairs entitled "Lone Star Image System Evaluation: Final Report," concludes that the Lone Star Image System pilot program cost the state of Texas $1.7 million for the first seven months of operation and yielded no significant savings in benefit payments. The report also found that one effect of the pilot program was to induce temporary exits among food stamp recipients by creating undue difficulties in the application process. House Bill 102 repeals the program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 102 amends the Human Resources Code to repeal the Electronic Imaging Program, developed by the Texas Department of Human Services to prevent welfare fraud. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.