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By:  Delisi                                                     H.C.R. No. 57 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Federal funding for the SCHIP program, enacted in 
1997 by the United States Congress, is provided through 
state-specific, annual allotments; and
	WHEREAS, Several states have been unable to use all of their 
allotments, while other states spent all available funds; and
	WHEREAS, The Children First SCHIP Improvement Act of 2003 
would, if enacted, allow states to continue to use $1.2 billion in 
funds through FY 2004 that were originally allocated for FY 
1998-99; and
	WHEREAS, The proposal would also extend for one additional 
year the availability of $1.5 billion in SCHIP funds from FY 2000 
and 2001 allotments, thereby allowing 50 percent of each year's 
unspent money to be retained by states that have not used their 
entire allotment; and
	WHEREAS, Absent a statutory change, states with excess funds 
from prior years would lose millions in funding and put under served 
children's health in jeopardy; and
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas operates under a biennial budget 
process, presenting unique barriers to the full utilization of 
SCHIP allotments; and
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas, specifically, stands to lose 
$285 million in unspent SCHIP funds; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to enact 
the Children First SCHIP Improvement Act of 2003; and be it further
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to enact 
legislation further extending the availability of year 2000 and 
year 2001 SCHIP allotments until year 2005; and be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 
copies of this resolutions to the president of the United States, 
the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the 
senate of the United States Congress, and all the members of the 
Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this 
resolution be officially entered into the Congressional Record of 
the United States of America.