Bill Text: TX HB86 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a select committee to evaluate the effects of a reduction in or the elimination of federal funding on the state budget due to federal fiscal policy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-15 - Left pending in subcommittee [HB86 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB86-Introduced.html

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84R1521 CJC-D
By: White of Tyler H.B. No. 86

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a select committee to evaluate the
effects of a reduction in or the elimination of federal funding on
the state budget due to federal fiscal policy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 10, Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 2116 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2116. SELECT COMMITTEE ON BUDGET DEPENDENCE ON FEDERAL
FUNDING
Sec. 2116.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "committee"
means the Select Committee on Budget Dependence on Federal Funding.
Sec. 2116.002. COMPOSITION. (a) The committee is composed
of:
(1) four members of the senate, including members from
different political parties, appointed by the lieutenant governor
based on seniority;
(2) four members of the house of representatives,
including members from different political parties, appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives based on seniority;
(3) a representative of a nonprofit or charitable
organization appointed by the governor;
(4) a representative of an advocacy organization
focused on state and federal fiscal matters appointed by the
governor;
(5) a representative of the Legislative Budget Board
appointed by the Legislative Budget Board; and
(6) a representative of the comptroller's office,
appointed by the comptroller.
(b) The committee shall elect a presiding officer from among
its members.
Sec. 2116.003. COMPENSATION. A committee member serves
without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for actual
and necessary expenses incurred in performing functions as a
committee member, subject to any applicable limitation on
reimbursement provided by general law or the General Appropriations
Act.
Sec. 2116.004. COMMITTEE DUTIES. The committee shall:
(1) meet at the call of the presiding officer;
(2) conduct a study on:
(A) the percentage of the state budget that is
funded by federal money; and
(B) the effects on the state budget if federal
fiscal policy necessitates a significant reduction in or the
elimination of federal funding for state governments; and
(3) create a plan to address the loss of federal money,
including federal Medicaid matching money and federal social
security payments, and maintain benefit programs and other
essential state services if federal fiscal policy necessitates a
significant reduction in or the elimination of federal funding for
state governments.
Sec. 2116.005. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2016,
the committee shall submit a report based on its findings to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor; and
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives.
Sec. 2116.006. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires and the
committee is abolished December 1, 2016.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than October 1, 2015, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the governor, the comptroller of public accounts, and the
Legislative Budget Board shall make the appointments and
designations required by Section 2116.002(a), Government Code, as
added by this Act.
(b) Not later than November 1, 2015, the governor shall call
the first meeting of the Select Committee on Budget Dependence on
Federal Funding to permit the committee to elect a presiding
officer as required by Section 2116.002(b), Government Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.