BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2962
79R9610 KSD-D By: Paxton (Nelson)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Legislature established the Work and Family Clearinghouse (clearinghouse) in the late 1980s to provide technical assistance and information and to conduct research on child care, dependent care, and other employment-related family initiatives. Activities were planned by an advisory committee, currently under the jurisdiction of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and funded through one-half of the cost of copies of birth certificates. The 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, stopped appropriating these dedicated funds and substituted general revenue.
With tight budget situations facing the legislature in recent years, no appropriations have been made to fund the activities of the clearinghouse. TWC has conducted as much of the clearinghouse's business as possible through an online library with a variety of research publications. Many more work and family efforts are occurring now at the local level than when the clearinghouse was established in the late 1980s. Moreover, child care and elder care service providers and employers in the community are addressing dependent care issues locally through numerous child care resource and referral agencies and other local efforts.
H.B. 2962 repeals the statutes requiring the statewide advisory committee for the clearinghouse, its dedicated fund, staff, and required research functions, as these activities are being accomplished in other ways and costs being paid through another source of funds.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Workforce Commission is modified in SECTION 3 (Section 81.007, Labor Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 191.022(f), Health and Safety Code, to delete existing text relating to using a fee from birth certificate registration for deposit in the work and family policies fund. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 81.001, Labor Code, to redefine "commission" and "committee."
SECTION 3. Amends Section 81.007, Labor Code, to delete existing text relating to the implementation of programs under Section 81.006(b).
SECTION 4. Amends Section 118.015(b), Local Government Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 5. Repealer: Section 191.0045(f) (relating to fees collected under Subsection (e) being deposited in the state treasury), Health and Safety Code.
Repealer: Sections 81.002 (Work and Family Policies Advisory Committee), 81.004(b) (relating to the Work and Family Clearinghouse conducting research on child care), 81.006 (Work and Family Policies Fund), and 81.009 (Work-Family Facilitator), Labor Code.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.