HBA-MPM H.B. 854 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 854 By: Dutton Human Services 3/18/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hunger and homelessness are daily challenges faced by many Texans. According to the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP), it is estimated that 32 percent of all children in Texas are hungry or at risk of hunger. Almost 13 percent of Texas households experience some level of food insecurity, and five percent suffer from outright hunger. Texas ranks second among states in having the highest percentage of hungry families. CPPP estimates that only one quarter of those eligible for food assistance in 1999 actually received it. The Texas Alliance for Human Needs reports that despite state legislative initiatives for development of better Texas low-income housing initiatives and recent federal laws providing opportunities for state housing agencies, nonprofit organizations, and others to obtain federal properties for the poor, the homeless population in Texas is still increasing. House Bill 854 creates an interagency work group on hunger and homelessness to improve services and service delivery to Texans who are hungry or homeless or who are at risk of becoming hungry or homeless. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 854 amends the Government Code to create an interagency work group on hunger and homelessness (work group) to assist the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in improving services to address the needs of persons who are hungry or homeless or at risk of being hungry or homeless. The bill requires the commissioner of health and human services to appoint work group members and sets forth provisions regarding the composition, administration, and operation of the workgroup. The bill requires the work group to study and make recommendations on methods of improving outreach efforts and service delivery. As a part of the study and recommendations, the work group is required to: _assess the extent and nature of hunger and homelessness in Texas; _identify underserved populations; _identify methods to increase service delivery to this population; _explore methods to enhance existing services and improve service delivery; and _evaluate the need for additional programs and services to prevent and alleviate hunger and homelessness. The bill sets forth reporting requirements for the work group and requires the reports to be submitted annually to the governor and the legislature. The bill provides that the work group is not subject to state agency advisory committee provisions and requirements. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.