81R10170 KFF-D
By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1230
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, income,
transportation, housing, education, and employment needs of that
population; and
(2) make recommendations to address those issues.
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) conduct a continuing study of issues relating to
the aging population;
(3) analyze the availability of, and unmet needs for,
state and local services for the aging population; and
(4) request reports and other information relating to
the aging population as necessary from the executive commissioner,
the department, other health and human services agencies, the
attorney general, and any other state agency.
(b) The executive commissioner, the department, other
health and human services agencies, the attorney general, and any
other applicable state agency shall fully cooperate with the
committee in performing the committee's duties under this
subchapter.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
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 hearings and studies conducted by
the committee during the preceding year;
(2) a statement of findings based on the hearings and
studies conducted by the committee; and
(3) 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.