S.B. No. 2315

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a task force to develop a plan for the consolidation of the functions of workforce development programs administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and social services programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.

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

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to provide for the creation of a task force to develop a plan for the consolidation of workforce development programs administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and social services programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission. Though federal law and guidance currently restricts the consolidation of these federally funded services, the United States Congress is considering legislation to reverse the federal restrictions and allow states to consolidate these functions. This Act would provide an opportunity for Texas to implement a consolidation plan, if and when federal law allows.

SECTION 2. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by adding Chapter 319 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 319. TASK FORCE ON CONSOLIDATION OF WORKFORCE AND SOCIAL

SERVICES

Sec. 319.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force" means the task force established under this chapter to develop a plan for the consolidation of workforce development and social services programs in this state.

Sec. 319.002. TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP; COMPENSATION. (a) The task force consists of:

(1) three members appointed by the governor;

(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) A vacancy on the task force must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(c) Members of the task force serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

Sec. 319.003. TASK FORCE DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:

(1) develop a plan for best courses of action and a regulatory framework for the consolidation of workforce development programs administered by the commission and social services programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission; and

(2) make recommendations to the legislature regarding the consolidation of programs described by Subdivision (1).

(b) The consolidation plan developed by the task force must:

(1) examine all state resources, including financial, manpower, and technology resources, to determine if those resources are being used effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes for recipients of the workforce development and social services programs and for the purposes of the programs' intended goals;

(2) identify opportunities for cost savings or reallocations of resources to improve the effectiveness of the programs by streamlining essential functions and eliminating duplicative efforts;

(3) identify potential improvements to child-care data systems in order to streamline child-care data collection as necessary to evaluate the need for and availability of subsidized and unsubsidized child care for recipients of program services;

(4) be designed to improve the delivery of the programs by ensuring that applicants for and recipients of the services provided are better served by having access to a single point of contact case manager for all services sought or received; and

(5) identify the changes to federal law that would be necessary to implement the consolidation plan.

Sec. 319.004. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission and the Health and Human Services Commission shall provide staff and administrative support as necessary to enable the task force to carry out its duties under this chapter, including by providing:

(1) meeting space;

(2) staff to assist the task force in conducting research and drafting the consolidation plan and related materials; and

(3) funding available from existing resources appropriated to the commission or the Health and Human Services Commission to pay for costs associated with the task force's functions.

Sec. 319.005. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than December 31, 2024, the task force shall prepare and submit to the legislature a report that includes:

(1) a description of the activities of the task force;

(2) the consolidation plan developed by the task force; and

(3) the findings and recommendations of the task force.

Sec. 319.006. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2024, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members of the task force as required by Section 319.002, Labor Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2315 passed the Senate on April 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1; May 27, 2023, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2023, House granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2023, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2315 passed the House, with amendments, on May 23, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 94, Nays 43, two present not voting; May 27, 2023, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2023, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 101, Nays 36, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor