S.B. No. 2315
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to develop a plan for the
consolidation of the functions of workforce development programs
administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and social services
programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to provide for the
creation of a task force to develop a plan for the consolidation of
workforce development programs administered by the Texas Workforce
Commission and social services programs administered by the Health
and Human Services Commission. Though federal law and guidance
currently restricts the consolidation of these federally funded
services, the United States Congress is considering legislation to
reverse the federal restrictions and allow states to consolidate
these functions. This Act would provide an opportunity for Texas to
implement a consolidation plan, if and when federal law allows.
SECTION 2. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by
adding Chapter 319 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 319. TASK FORCE ON CONSOLIDATION OF WORKFORCE AND SOCIAL
SERVICES
Sec. 319.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"
means the task force established under this chapter to develop a
plan for the consolidation of workforce development and social
services programs in this state.
Sec. 319.002. TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP; COMPENSATION. (a)
The task force consists of:
(1) three members appointed by the governor;
(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(b) A vacancy on the task force must be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment.
(c) Members of the task force serve without compensation or
reimbursement for expenses.
Sec. 319.003. TASK FORCE DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:
(1) develop a plan for best courses of action and a
regulatory framework for the consolidation of workforce
development programs administered by the commission and social
services programs administered by the Health and Human Services
Commission; and
(2) make recommendations to the legislature regarding
the consolidation of programs described by Subdivision (1).
(b) The consolidation plan developed by the task force must:
(1) examine all state resources, including financial,
manpower, and technology resources, to determine if those resources
are being used effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired
outcomes for recipients of the workforce development and social
services programs and for the purposes of the programs' intended
goals;
(2) identify opportunities for cost savings or
reallocations of resources to improve the effectiveness of the
programs by streamlining essential functions and eliminating
duplicative efforts;
(3) identify potential improvements to child-care
data systems in order to streamline child-care data collection as
necessary to evaluate the need for and availability of subsidized
and unsubsidized child care for recipients of program services;
(4) be designed to improve the delivery of the
programs by ensuring that applicants for and recipients of the
services provided are better served by having access to a single
point of contact case manager for all services sought or received;
and
(5) identify the changes to federal law that would be
necessary to implement the consolidation plan.
Sec. 319.004. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission and
the Health and Human Services Commission shall provide staff and
administrative support as necessary to enable the task force to
carry out its duties under this chapter, including by providing:
(1) meeting space;
(2) staff to assist the task force in conducting
research and drafting the consolidation plan and related materials;
and
(3) funding available from existing resources
appropriated to the commission or the Health and Human Services
Commission to pay for costs associated with the task force's
functions.
Sec. 319.005. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than
December 31, 2024, the task force shall prepare and submit to the
legislature a report that includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
(2) the consolidation plan developed by the task
force; and
(3) the findings and recommendations of the task
force.
Sec. 319.006. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this chapter expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2024, the governor, the
lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives shall appoint the members of the task force as
required by Section 319.002, Labor Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2315 passed the Senate on
April 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1;
May 27, 2023, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2023, House
granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2023, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2315 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 23, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 94,
Nays 43, two present not voting; May 27, 2023, House granted
request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 28, 2023, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 101, Nays 36, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor