HBA-SEP H.B. 1233 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1233 By: Naishtat Judicial Affairs 6/13/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, a guardian of the estate of a ward was not authorized to purchase a prepaid funeral benefits contract, though some probate courts did issue orders authorizing a guardian to make such a purchase. This option might not have been available in all courts exercising probate jurisdiction and guardians and attorneys might have been unaware of the court's willingness to approve the purchase. House Bill 1233 amends the Texas Probate Code to authorize a guardian of the estate of a ward, if the guardian deems it is in the best interest of the estate and is authorized by an order of the court, to purchase a prepaid funeral benefits contract. 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 1233 amends the Texas Probate Code to authorize a guardian of the estate of a ward, if the guardian deems it is in the best interest of the estate and is authorized by an order of the court, to purchase a prepaid funeral benefits contract. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.