Texas House Bill HCR54

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Approving the SNAP settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Impact

The resolution acknowledges a significant settlement amount of $15,294,360, which includes restitution for performance bonuses paid to HHSC as well as repayment of federally funded costs associated with quality control efforts. The passage of HCR54 effectively approves financial arrangements necessary for HHSC to comply with the settlement terms, ensuring that the state takes accountability for its prior practices that led to the federal investigation. Moreover, this resolution underscores potential changes within HHSC to enhance the integrity of their processes moving forward.

Summary

HCR54 is a House Concurrent Resolution that approves a settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) regarding quality control practices within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The resolution responds to an investigation initiated by the DOJ in 2015, which examined whether HHSC properly calculated and reported Texas’ SNAP error rates. This investigation raised concerns over potential bias and integrity issues in the quality control processes of SNAP, specifically related to practices endorsed by a consulting contractor, Julie Osnes.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HCR54 appears largely supportive, with legislative backing evident from the notable majority in favor during voting (110 yeas to 16 nays in the House and 30 yeas to 1 nay in the Senate). This level of support indicates a consensus on the need to resolve the issues identified by the DOJ investigation and to reaffirm the integrity of the SNAP program in Texas. The resolution reflects a move towards transparency and accountability in government operations, which is generally seen positively by the public and stakeholders involved in food assistance programs.

Contention

While there is consensus on the necessity of the resolution, contention arose around the practices that led to the settlement—specifically, the actions taken by HHSC in managing SNAP error rates. Critics might highlight the broader implications of accountability in state-managed programs, potentially questioning the effectiveness and oversight of such agencies. The resolution does not delve into the systemic issues within HHSC highlighted by the DOJ but serves to close that chapter with the approved settlement.