BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 728
88R18868 KKR-F	By: Rose (Zaffirini)
	Health & Human Services
	4/24/2023
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

According to the Texas Demographic Center, the population of Texans age 65 and older is projected to increase from 3.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2040. A lack of a cohesive and organized approach to aging services across different state agencies, however, has led to inefficiencies and ineffective use of available resources. It has resulted in service duplication, coverage gaps, confusion for persons seeking services, and inadequate care for aging Texans.

 

H.B. 728 would establish the Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council (council), which would consist of representatives from various agencies and entities. The council would develop a five-year aging services strategic plan, a biennial coordinated statewide interagency aging services expenditure proposal, and an annual inventory of state-funded interagency aging programs and services. This would ensure that Texas can address older Texans' needs and that resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.

 

H.B. 728 amends current law relating to the statewide interagency aging services coordinating council.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 531, Government Code, by adding Subchapter M-2, as follows:

 

SUBCHAPTER M-2. STATEWIDE INTERAGENCY AGING SERVICES COORDINATING COUNCIL

 

Sec. 531.491. DEFINITIONS. Defines "council" and "strategic plan."

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Sec. 531.492. PURPOSE. Provides that the statewide interagency aging services coordinating council (council) is established to ensure a strategic statewide approach to interagency aging services.

 

Sec. 531.493. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a) Provides that the council, subject to Subsection (b), is composed of at least one representative appointed by each of the following agencies and entities:

 

(1) the governor's office;

 

(2) the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), including one representative of HHSC's aging services coordination office;

 

(3) the Department of Family and Protective Services;

 

(4) the Department of State Health Services;

 

(5) the Department of Agriculture's office of rural health;

 

(6) the Texas Veterans Commission;

 

(7) the Texas Workforce Commission;

 

(8) the Office of the Attorney General;

 

(9) the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio;

 

(10) the Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium at The University of Texas at Austin; and

 

(11) the Center for Community Health and Aging at Texas A&M University.

 

(b) Requires the executive commissioner of HHSC (executive commissioner) to determine the number of representatives that each agency or entity is authorized to appoint to serve on the council.

 

(c) Authorizes the council to authorize another state agency or entity that provides specific interagency aging services with the use of appropriated money to appoint a representative to the council.

 

(d) Provides that a council member serves at the pleasure of the appointing agency or entity.

 

Sec. 531.494. TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Provides that council members serve six-year terms.

 

(b) Requires that a vacancy on the council be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Requires a council member appointed to fill a vacancy on the council to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

 

Sec. 531.495. PRESIDING OFFICER. Requires the representative of HHSC's aging services coordination office appointed under Section 531.493(a) to serve as the presiding officer.

 

Sec. 531.496. MEETINGS. Requires the council to meet at least once quarterly or more frequently at the call of the presiding officer.

 

Sec. 531.497. POWERS AND DUTIES. Provides that the council:

 

(1) is required, in accordance with Section 531.498:

 

(A) to develop a recurring five-year statewide interagency aging services strategic plan; and

 

(B) to submit the strategic plan to the executive commissioner and the administrative head of each agency subject to the strategic plan;

 

(2) is required to develop and, not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, submit to the legislature a biennial coordinated statewide interagency aging services expenditure proposal;

 

(3) is required to annually publish an updated inventory of state-funded interagency aging programs and services that includes a description of how those programs and services further the purpose of the statewide interagency aging services strategic plan;

 

(4) is authorized to facilitate opportunities to increase collaboration for the effective expenditure of available federal and state money for interagency aging services in this state; and

 

(5) is authorized to establish subcommittees as necessary to carry out the council's duties under this subchapter.

 

Sec. 531.498. RECURRING FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN AND RELATED IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. (a) Requires the council, not later than March 1 of the last state fiscal year in each five-year period covered by the most recent strategic plan, to:

 

(1) develop a new strategic plan for the next five state fiscal years that begins with the following fiscal year; and

 

(2) submit the new strategic plan to the executive commissioner and the administrative head of each agency subject to the strategic plan.

 

(b) Requires the executive commissioner and the administrative head of each agency that is subject to the plan, not later than the 90th day after receiving the strategic plan, to develop and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a plan for implementing the recommendations applicable to the agency under the strategic plan. Requires that an implementation plan include a justification for any recommendation HHSC or other agency declines to implement.

 

Sec. 531.499. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. Provides that the council is subject to Chapter 325 (Sunset Law). Requires the council to be reviewed during the period in which HHSC is reviewed under Section 531.004 (Sunset Provision). Provides that the council, unless continued in existence as provided by Chapter 325, is abolished and this subchapter expires on the date on which HHSC is subject to abolishment under that section.

 

SECTION 2. (a) Requires the appropriate appointing agencies or entities, not later than January 31, 2024, to appoint the members of the council as required by Section 531.493, Government Code, as added by this Act.

 

(b) Requires the council, not later than March 31, 2024, to hold its initial meeting.

 

(c) Requires the council, not later than March 1, 2025, to submit the initial five-year statewide interagency aging services strategic plan required under Section 531.497, Government Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.