By: Lucio  S.B. No. 556
         (In the Senate - Filed February 9, 2007; February 26, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
  Services; April 16, 2007, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 16, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the creation of an interagency obesity council.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 114 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 114. INTERAGENCY OBESITY COUNCIL
         Sec. 114.001.  INTERAGENCY OBESITY COUNCIL.  (a)  The
  commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of state health
  services, and commissioner of education, or a staff member
  designated by each of those commissioners, shall meet at least once
  a year as an interagency council to:
               (1)  discuss the status of each agency's programs that
  promote better health and nutrition and prevent obesity among
  children and adults in this state; and
               (2)  consider the feasibility of tax incentives for
  employers who promote activities designed to reduce obesity in the
  workforce.
         (b)  Not later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the
  interagency council shall 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.
         (c)  A report submitted by the interagency council under
  Subsection (b) must include:
               (1)  a list of the programs within each agency that are
  designed to promote better health and nutrition;
               (2)  an assessment of the steps taken by each program
  during the preceding two calendar years;
               (3)  a report of the progress made by taking these steps
  in reaching each program's goals;
               (4)  the areas of improvement that are needed in each
  program; and
               (5)  recommendations for future goals or legislation.
         (d)  A meeting held under this section is not subject to the
  provisions of the open meetings law, Chapter 551, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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