MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, April 28, 1999
8 a.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Human
Services was held on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, in the Senate
Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair
Senator John Carona, Vice Chair
Senator David Bernsen
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Chris Harris
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 8 a.m. There being a
quorum present at 8:04 a.m., the following business was
transacted.
The chair laid out the April 21, 1999, minutes and called for
revisions. There being none, Senator Carona moved their
approval. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chair laid out SB 1391 by Senator Shapleigh, relating to
the allocation by the Texas Workforce Commission of certain
funds for child care services, and recognized the author to
explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute for SB 1391 and
Senator Shapleigh explained the differences between it and the
bill as filed.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 1391. There being no objection, the motion prevailed
by unanimous consent.
The following person registered as a resource witness for the
committee substitute for SB 1391, but did not testify:
David Coufal, director of child care, Texas Workforce
Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 448T, Austin,
Texas 78778.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for SB 1391, the chair closed public testimony.
The chair left the committee substitute for SB 1391 pending
temporarily, pending the arrival of a quorum.
The chair laid out SB 1259 by Senator Moncrief, relating to
use of the housing trust fund to benefit certain individuals,
and recognized the author to explain the bill.
The following persons registered as resource witnesses on SB
1259, but did not testify:
Janna Courmier, planner, Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs, 507 Sabine, Austin, Texas 78701.
Sarah Dale, manager, Housing Resource Center, Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs, P.O. Box
13941, Austin, Texas 78711.
The following person registered in support of SB 1259, but did
not testify:
Teresa Aguirre, legislative assistant, Texas Association
of Homes and Services for the Aging,
2205 Hancock, Austin, Texas 78756.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to SB 1259, the
chair closed public testimony.
Senators Gallegos and Harris requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting "aye" on SB 1259. There being no objection, the
motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Carona moved that SB 1259 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0 "nays."
Senator Carona moved that SB 1259 be recommended for the local
and uncontested calendar. There being no objection, the
motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair laid out anew the committee substitute for SB 1391
by Senator Shapleigh, relating to the allocation by the Texas
Workforce Commission of certain funds for child care services,
which had been left pending to await a quorum, and recognized
Senator Carona for a motion.
Senators Gallegos and Harris asked unanimous consent to be
shown voting "aye" on the committee substitute for SB 1391.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
Senator Carona moved that SB 1391 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Carona moved that the committee substitute for SB 1391
be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
At 8:08 a.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
The chair laid out HB 875 by Representative Maxey, relating to
increasing collections for cases of fraud in the Medicaid,
financial assistance, and food stamp programs, and recognized
the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute for HB 875
and explained the differences between it and the bill as
filed.
Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee
substitute for HB 875. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
The following persons registered as resource witnesses on the
committee substitute for HB 875, but did not testify:
Phyllis Coombes, supervisor of research, Comptroller of
Public Accounts, 111 East 17th Street, Austin, Texas
78711.
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human
Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas
78711.
Marty Jones, accounts receivable manager, Texas
Department of Human Services, Austin, Texas 78751.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for HB 875, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Gallegos asked unanimous consent to be shown voting
"aye" on the committee substitute for HB 875. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 875 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Zaffirini moved that the committee substitute for HB
875 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair laid out HB 1514 by Representative Maxey, relating
to implementation of certain procedures to ensure accuracy of
medical assistance eligibility lists, and recognized the
Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute for HB 1514
and explained the differences between it and the bill as
filed.
Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee
substitute for HB 1514. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
The following persons registered as resource witnesses on the
committee substitute for 1514, but did not testify:
Phyllis Coombes, policy analyst, Comptroller of Public
Accounts, 11 East 17th Street, Austin, Texas 78703.
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human
Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas
78711.
Jim Holster, section manager, Program Integrity, Texas
Department of Human Services, 8407 Wall Street, Austin,
Texas 78757.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for HB 1514, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1514 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Zaffirini moved that the committee substitute for HB
1514 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
At 8:15 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed presiding duties.
The chair laid out SB 983 by Senator Madla, relating to a
branch office of a home health or personal assistance services
agency, and recognized Senator Harris to explain the bill on
behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Madla.
Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute for SB 983 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Harris moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 983. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The following persons registered in support of the committee
substitute for SB 983, but did not testify:
Anne Couch, RN, Girling Health Care, Inc., P.O. Box 4294,
Austin, Texas 78765.
Sara Speights, director, Governmental Affairs, Texas
Association for Home Care, 3737 Executive Center Drive,
Austin, Texas 78731.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for SB 983, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Harris moved that SB 983 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Harris moved that the committee substitute for SB 983
be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair laid out the report of the Subcommittee on Welfare
Reform and recognized the chair, Senator Carona, who described
legislation, issues and problems that the subcommittee
addressed. Senator Zaffirini directed the staff to include
the subcommittee report in the committee's record.
At 8:20 a.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
The chair laid out SB 1591 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
implementing national standards for the electronic processing
of health care and health payment information, and recognized
the author to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute for SB 1591
and explained the differences between it and the bill as
filed.
Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee
substitute for SB 1591. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
The following persons registered as resource witnesses on the
committee substitute for SB 1591, but did not testify:
Cindy Alexander, policy analyst, Comptroller of Public
Accounts, 111 East 17th Street,
Austin, Texas 78703.
Eddie Esquivel, manager, Statewide Issues, Department of
Information Resources, 300 West 15th Street, Austin,
Texas 78701.
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human
Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas
78711.
Bruce Hermes, director of information systems, Texas
Department of Health, 1100 West 49th
Street, Austin, Texas 78749.
Dianne Longley, insurance director, Texas Department of
Insurance, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78701.
Jerry K. Miller, bureau chief, Information Resources,
Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street,
Austin, Texas 78756.
There being no other persons registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for SB 1591, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Harris asked unanimous consent to be shown voting
"aye" on the committee substitute for SB 1591. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1591 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Bernsen moved that the committee substitute for SB
1591 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair laid out SB 666 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
exemptions from work or employment activity participation
requirements for certain TANF recipients, and recognized the
author to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute for SB 666
and explained the differences between it and the bill as
filed.
Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee
substitute for SB 666. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
The following person provided oral and written testimony on
the committee substitute for SB 666:
Patrick Bresette, associate director, Center for Public
Policy Priorities, 900 Lydia Street,
Austin, Texas 78702.
The following person registered in support of the committee
substitute for SB 666, but did not testify:
Susan Murphree, program services specialist, Advocacy,
Incorporated, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., #171-E, Austin,
Texas 78757.
The following person registered as a resource witness on the
committee substitute for SB 666, but did not testify:
Judy Denton, director of Texas Works, Texas Department of
Human Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas
78757.
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for SB 666, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to be shown voting
"aye" on the committee substitute for SB 666. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 666 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
At 8:28 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed presiding duties.
The chair explained that SB 800 by Senator Ellis, relating to
the summer food service program, was withdrawn from the agenda
to await the arrival of the House companion bill.
The chair laid out HB 822 by Representative Maxey, relating to
the creation of a task force composed of state and county
representatives to study federal reimbursement to counties,
and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Cain, to explain
the bill.
Senator Bernsen sent up a committee substitute for HB 822 and
Senator Cain explained the differences between it and the bill
as filed.
Senator Bernsen moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for HB 822. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The following persons registered as resource witnesses on the
committee substitute for HB 822, but did not testify:
Cindy Alexander, policy analyst, Comptroller of Public
Accounts, 111 East 17th Street,
Austin, Texas 78703.
Justine Martone, systems analyst, Comptroller of Public
Accounts, 111 East 17th Street,
Austin, Texas 78774.
The following persons registered in support of the committee
substitute for HB 822, but did not testify:
Jerry Lewis, commissioner, North & East Judges &
Commissioners Association, 100 South Dixon, Gainesville,
Texas 76240.
Helen Walker, Victoria County Judge, Victoria County and
County Judges-Commissioners
Association of Texas, 115 North Bridge, Room 127,
Victoria, Texas 77901.
There being no other persons registered or responding to the
chair's call for public testimony relating to the committee
substitute for HB 822, the chair closed public testimony.
Senator Harris asked unanimous consent to be shown voting
"aye" on the committee substitute for HB 822. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Carona moved that HB 822 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 "ayes" and 0
"nays."
Senator Carona moved that the committee substitute for HB 822
be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair announced that a meeting concerning SB 369 by
Senator Zaffirini, relating to the continuation and functions
of the Texas Department of Human Services, would be held
today, Wednesday, April 28, at 4 p.m., to discuss the three
amendments that were offered and adopted by the Senate
Committee on Human Services during the public hearing on
Wednesday, April 21.
There being no other business to come before the committee and
upon a motion by Senator Carona, the chair recessed the
committee by unanimous consent at 8:34 a.m., subject to the
call of the chair.
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Judith Zaffirini, Chair
_____________________________________
Scott Caffey, Committee Clerk