80R7074 KFF-D

By: Turner H.B. No. 2776

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the health and human services accountability legislative oversight committee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Q to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER Q. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Sec. 531.651. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "committee" means the health and human services accountability legislative oversight committee.

Sec. 531.652. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE; PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) The committee is composed of six appointed members as follows:

(1) two members of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(2) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3) two members of the public, appointed by the governor.

(b) The executive commissioner serves as an ex officio member of the committee.

(c) An appointed member of the committee serves at the pleasure of the appointing official.

(d) Each year, the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall alternate designating a presiding officer from among their respective appointments.

Sec. 531.653. COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The committee shall:

(1) monitor, audit, assess, and make recommendations to the commission regarding the policies, rules, duties, functions, programs, including the implementation and operation of programs, and activities of the commission and the health and human services agencies;

(2) research, take testimony, and prepare reports on issues as requested by the governor, lieutenant governor, or speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) review recommendations for legislation proposed by the commission or the health and human services agencies; and

(4) monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the health and human services system of this state.

(b) The committee may request reports and other information from the commission, the health and human services agencies, and the attorney general relating to health and human services in this state and other appropriate issues.

Sec. 531.654. MEETINGS. The committee shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 531.655. SUPPORT STAFF. The committee shall use staff of the senate, the house of representatives, and the Texas Legislative Council to assist the committee in performing the committee's duties under this subchapter.

Sec. 531.656. APPLICABILITY OF OPEN MEETINGS LAW. Chapter 551 applies to the committee.

Sec. 531.657. REPORT. Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the committee shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. The report must:

(1) identify significant issues within the health and human services delivery system and provide recommendations for action with respect to those issues;

(2) include an analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of health and human services in this state and provide recommendations for any necessary research; and

(3) include any recommendations for legislative action.

SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2007, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor shall make the appointments required under Section 531.652, Government Code, as added by this Act. The speaker of the house of representatives shall make the initial designation of the presiding officer under Section 531.652(d), Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. The health and human services accountability legislative oversight committee shall submit the initial report required under Section 531.657, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2008.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.