BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 556
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Obesity rates in Texas have reached epidemic proportion. There are steps in place in Texas to treat and prevent obesity. A key step in this process is to monitor rates of obesity and the tactics that are in place to address this crisis. Monitoring prevention efforts allows for evaluation of current practices and can guide future planning.
S.B. 556 creates an interagency obesity council (council) with the commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of state health services, and commissioner of education. The council will be responsible for a report about programs in the state that are active in preventing and treating obesity. The report must include a list of the programs that promote better health, assess the steps taken within each program to promote better health and nutrition, and follow the progress that has been made by these steps. The council will also be responsible for identifying areas that need improvement and making recommendations to better address obesity. The council will help monitor nutrition and physical activity.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 114, as follows:
CHAPTER 114. INTERAGENCY OBESITY COUNCIL
Sec. 114.001. INTERAGENCY OBESITY COUNCIL. (a) Requires the commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of state health services, and commissioner of education, or a staff member designated by each of those commissioners, to meet at least once a year as an interagency obesity council (council) to discuss the status of each agency's programs regarding obesity prevention and reduction and to consider the feasibility for certain tax incentives for employers who promote obesity reduction in the workforce.
(b) Requires the council to submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the activities of the council during the preceding two calendar years, not later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year.
(c) Requires certain items to be included in the report submitted by the council under Subsection (b).
(d) Provides that a meeting held under this section is not subject to the provisions of the open meetings law, Chapter 551 (Open Meetings), Government Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.