Texas 2019 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2138 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/07/2019

                    By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 2138


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to authority of the Health and Human Services Commission
 to retain portion of appropriated funds to pay for implementation
 of certain health care programs under the Medicaid program.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
 amended by adding Section 531.021135 to read as follows:
 Sec. 531.021135.  AUTHORITY TO RETAIN PORTION OF FUNDS TO PAY
 FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
 (a)  The commission may retain and spend as provided by general
 appropriation an amount not to exceed one percent of the funds
 received for the operation of Section 1115 waiver programs and
 directed payment programs as authorized by federal law, as well as
 any successor programs as determined by the commission, to pay for
 implementation of those health care programs.
 (b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to
 implement this section.
 SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
 a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
 federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
 the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
 authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
 waiver or authorization is granted.
 SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 Act takes effect September 1, 2019.