BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 237

79R2696 YDB-F                                                                                                              By: Carona

                                                                                                                        Business & Commerce

2/17/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Prior to the passage of H.B. 587, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, Texas lacked adequate laws to regulate the cremation process.  H.B. 587 provided comprehensive regulation of the cremation process in Texas.  As proposed, S.B. 237 provides clarifying language amending Sections 651.406(d) and 651.4065(d), Occupations Code, to use terms which are consistent with the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule delineating that the discount shown as an item on the purchase agreement be the total amount of discount.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 651.406(d), Occupations Code, to provide that if the customer selects a package arrangement based on unit pricing, the itemization requirement is satisfied by providing a purchase agreement that discloses the total amount of discount, rather than itemizes the discount, provided by the package arrangement.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 651.4065(d), Occupations Code, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.