HBA-TBM H.B. 1218 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1218
By: Chavez
Human Services
2/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Federal welfare reform legislation in 1996 denied food stamp benefits to
many legal immigrants.  Even after a partial restoration of federal food
stamp benefits to selected immigrants in 1998, many legal immigrants in
Texas are without food stamp benefits.  House Bill 1218 requires the Texas
Department of Human Services to develop and implement a food assistance
program to provide nutritional assistance to lawfully present immigrants.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Human Services
in SECTION 1 (Section 33.0024, Human Resources Code) of this bill.   

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1218 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas
Department of Human Services (DHS), by rule, to develop and implement a
food assistance program to provide nutritional assistance to lawfully
present immigrants who meet the qualifications set forth in the bill.   

The bill provides that the food assistance program required by this bill is
intended to replace a similar food program providing assistance to certain
immigrants ineligible for the federal food stamp program that was
authorized by the Texas Board of Human Services and implemented under DHS
rule.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.