BILL ANALYSIS
By: Naishtat
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The 75th Legislature created a Long Term Care Legislative Oversight Committee to address issues facing long-term care in Texas. The committee held legislative hearings and issued reports and recommendations to the Legislature on issues relating to long-term care issues. However, the 79th Legislature abolished the Committee despite the fact that the Texas aging population is increasing in numbers. The population of Texans over the age of 65 is expected to increase 295 percent between 2000 and 2040. Given the projections, it is incumbent upon the state to identify needs of the aging population, and to develop a comprehensive plan of ensuring the safety and well-being of its senior citizens.
HB 1366 would require establishment of a Legislative Blue Ribbon Panel on Aging Issues. The Blue Ribbon Panel would be required to study issues relating to the aging population, and to submit a report to the Legislature with recommendations for legislative action by September 1, 2008.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 1366 requires the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House to appoint members to a Blue Ribbon Panel on Aging Issues no later than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act. HB 1366 specifies the required composition of the Blue Ribbon Panel, and requires election of a presiding officer from among the members of the Panel. Permits a public member to be reimbursed for expenses incurred while conducting business of the Panel at a rate established in the General Appropriations Act, and requires the Panel to use existing senate and house staff resources.
HB 1366 requires the Blue Ribbon Panel on Aging Issues to receive information on proposed and adopted rules relating to the aging population, review legislative proposals relating to the aging population, monitor the effectiveness and efficacy of the Texas regulatory systems relating to the aging population, and request reports and other information from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, other health and human services agencies, and the Office of the Attorney General relating to the aging population.
HB 1366 requires the Blue Ribbon Panel on Aging Issues to submit a report with recommendations for legislative action to the Legislature by September 1, 2008. Requires the report to identify significant problems in the state's regulatory systems relating to the aging population, the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory systems and an analysis of the types of services available to the aging citizens.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.