BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 221

By: Zaffirini

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Members of the Texas Funeral Service Commission are currently limited to a single term unless they are completing an unexpired term, in which case they can complete the term and serve another full term. Interested parties note that only a few other Texas commissions still have term limits and assert that the state runs the risk of losing invaluable institutional knowledge by imposing term limits on commissioners. S.B. 221 seeks to address this and other issues relating to the Texas Funeral Service Commission.

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

S.B. 221 amends the Occupations Code to remove a provision prohibiting a member of the Texas Funeral Service Commission from being appointed for more than one full term, except under certain circumstances, and to repeal a provision prohibiting the commission from employing legal counsel except as provided by statutory provisions relating to the provision of legal services by counsel other than the attorney general.

S.B. 221 repeals Section 651.060(b), Occupations Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.