BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3463

By: Bohac

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that there is a need for increased transparency and education with regard to the fiscal impact that providing certain public assistance benefits has on the taxpayers of this state. The parties contend that recipients of those benefits should be given a breakdown of the value and total cost of the benefits they receive similar to an annual employee benefit statement. H.B. 3463 seeks to provide for the dissemination of this information to a recipient when the person recertifies for eligibility under an applicable assistance program.

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

H.B. 3463 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission, at the time a person is recertified to receive benefits or assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Medicaid, or the supplemental nutrition assistance program, to provide information regarding the total amount of benefits or assistance received by the person under all of those programs during the preceding 12 months.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.