By: Hughes  S.B. No. 2315
         (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2023; March 22, 2023, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Finance; April 4, 2023,
  reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 16, Nays 1;
  April 4, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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)  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
               (4)  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.
 
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