H.B. No. 1516
AN ACT
relating to efficiency audits of the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families program and the state temporary assistance and support
services program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.005522 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.005522. EFFICIENCY AUDIT. (a) For purposes of
this section, "efficiency audit" means an investigation of the
implementation and administration of the federal Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families program operated under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code, and the state temporary assistance and
support services program operated under Chapter 34, Human Resources
Code, to examine fiscal management, efficiency of the use of
resources, and the effectiveness of state efforts in achieving the
goals of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
described under 42 U.S.C. Section 601(a).
(b) In 2022 and every sixth year after that year, an
external auditor selected under Subsection (e) shall conduct an
efficiency audit.
(c) The commission shall pay the costs associated with an
efficiency audit required under this section using existing
resources.
(d) The state auditor shall ensure that the external auditor
conducts the efficiency audit in accordance with the requirements
of this section.
(e) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an efficiency
audit is required under this section, the state auditor shall
select an external auditor to conduct the efficiency audit.
(f) The external auditor shall be independent and not
subject to direction from:
(1) the commission; or
(2) any other state agency subject to evaluation by
the auditor for purposes of this section or that receives or spends
money under the programs described by Subsection (a).
(g) The external auditor shall complete the audit not later
than the 90th day after the date the auditor is selected.
(h) The Legislative Budget Board shall establish the scope
of the efficiency audit and determine the areas of investigation
for the audit, including:
(1) reviewing the resources dedicated to a program
described by Subsection (a) to determine whether those resources:
(A) are being used effectively and efficiently to
achieve desired outcomes for individuals receiving benefits under a
program; and
(B) are not being used for purposes other than
the intended goals of the applicable program;
(2) identifying cost savings or reallocations of
resources; and
(3) identifying opportunities for improving services
through consolidation of essential functions, outsourcing, and
elimination of duplicative efforts.
(i) Not later than November 1 of the year an efficiency
audit is conducted, the external auditor shall prepare and submit a
report of the audit and recommendations for efficiency improvements
to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board, the state auditor,
the executive commissioner, and the chairs of the House Human
Services Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services
Committee. The executive commissioner and the state auditor shall
publish the report, recommendations, and full audit on the
commission's and the state auditor's Internet websites.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1516 was passed by the House on May
14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 94, Nays 50, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1516 was passed by the Senate on May
25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor