81R1916 KFF-D
By: Naishtat H.B. No. 610
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Legislative Committee on
Aging.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON AGING
Sec. 161.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Committee" means the Legislative Committee on
Aging.
(2) "Health and human services agency" has the meaning
assigned by Section 531.001, Government Code.
Sec. 161.252. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON AGING ESTABLISHED.
The Legislative Committee on Aging is established to:
(1) study issues relating to the aging population of
Texas, including issues related to the health care, transportation,
housing, education, and employment needs of that population; and
(2) make recommendations to address those issues and
coordinate available services.
Sec. 161.253. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE; PRESIDING OFFICER.
(a) The committee is composed of:
(1) two members of the senate and one public member
appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(2) two members of the house of representatives and
one public member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives.
(b) A member of the committee serves at the pleasure of the
appointing official.
(c) The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives shall appoint the presiding officer of the
committee on an alternating basis. The presiding officer shall
serve a two-year term expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered
year.
Sec. 161.254. COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
committee shall:
(1) meet at the call of the presiding officer;
(2) receive information about rules proposed or
adopted by the executive commissioner relating to the aging
population;
(3) review specific recommendations for legislation
proposed by the executive commissioner, the department, another
health and human services agency, or the attorney general relating
to the aging population;
(4) review the effectiveness of the regulatory systems
of this state relating to the aging population;
(5) analyze the availability of, and unmet needs for,
state and local services for the aging population; and
(6) request reports and other information as necessary
from the executive commissioner, the department, another health and
human services agency, and the attorney general relating to the
aging population.
(b) The committee may issue process, in accordance with
Section 301.024, Government Code, to compel attendance of witnesses
and the production of books, records, documents, and instruments
required by the committee.
(c) The committee shall use the existing staff resources of
the senate and the house of representatives to assist the committee
in performing its duties under this section. The department, on
request, shall provide additional resources and assistance to the
committee.
Sec. 161.255. REPORT. (a) The committee shall report to
the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives
having jurisdiction of issues related to the needs of the aging
population not later than November 15 of each even-numbered year.
(b) The report must include:
(1) a summary of the effectiveness of the regulatory
systems of this state related to the aging population;
(2) an analysis of the types of state and local
services available to the aging population, including health care,
transportation, housing, and education services;
(3) an analysis of the unique needs of the aging
population participating or desiring to participate in the
workforce and necessary actions to meet those needs; and
(4) recommendations for legislation.
SECTION 2. The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the
house of representatives shall appoint members of the Legislative
Committee on Aging, as established by this Act, not later than the
30th day after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.