By: Hughes S.B. No. 2315     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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)  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                (4)  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.