The 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature 2013 - 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT April 27 – May 2, 2014 Texas State Capitol Austin, Texas LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 69th Texas Legislature Sponsors: Senator Hugh Parmer and Representative Jerry Clark WHEREAS, Older Texans are the fastest growing segment of the population with the number of persons over the age of 60 in Texas having increased 32 percent between 1970 and 1980; and WHEREAS, Many older Texans recognize the need to develop a better understanding of the legislative process through participation in this process of state policy development; and WHEREAS, It is most appropriate in problem solving to involve those closely related to the problems in order to ensure more effective, lasting solutions; and WHEREAS, A Silver-Haired Legislature is a model legislative session in which older Texans are elected by their peers to meet at the State Capitol to initiate and debate policy alternatives to deal with the problems that affect them; and WHEREAS, Silver-Haired Legislatures have been used effectively in other states to inform elderly persons about the legislative process, to serve as a forum where the elderly can discuss policy issues on aging, and to recommend solutions to the problems of older Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature of the State of Texas support the development of a biennial Silver-Haired Legislature in Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the legislature of the state of Texas allow its chambers and meeting rooms, and other assistance as determined by the committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Administration, to be used by the Silver-Haired Legislature at a time that does not interfere with the regular biennial sessions of the legislature, special called sessions, or meeting of interim Legislative Committees; and, be it further RESOLVED, That recommendations formulated by the Silver-Haired Legislature be submitted to the Governor of the State of Texas, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Department on Aging at the close of the Silver-Haired Legislative Session. Passed by 69th Texas Legislature April 3, 1985 W. P. Hobby, President of the Senate Gib Lewis, Speaker of the House Signed by Governor Mark White, April 11, 1985 Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 12, 1985 ii Contents Transmittal Letter . .i Legislative Authorization SCR 37 . ii Table of Contents . .iii TSHL Who Are We and Mission Statement . .iv Summary of Top 10 Resolutions . .1 Summary of All Resolutions . 5 Resolutions as Adopted . 13 Consent Resolutions Table of Contents . 93 Appendices Appendix A Executive Committee . .118 Appendix B Administrative Committee . 119 Appendix C Legislative Issues Committees . .120 Appendix D Special Committees . .121 Appendix E TSHL 2014 – 2015 Schedule of Events . 121 The 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature at the Capitol . 124 iii THE TEXAS SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO We are volunteers over the age of 60 who have been elected by our peers from 28 regions to serve two- year terms. The Texas Legislature established this senior policy development program in 1985. No State funds have been appropriated for the operation of the Silver-Haired Legislature. We meet in the House of Representatives Chambers of the Texas Capitol and conduct a non-partisan legislative session in even- numbered years. HISTORY OF THE SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURE The first Silver-Haired Legislature was organized by the State of Missouri in 1973. The concept has now been adopted in 26 states. The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL) was introduced to the Board of Directors by the Advisory Council of the Texas Department on Aging in 1983 where it was listed as a “legislative priority”. A resolution to establish the TSHL was passed by the Board in 1984. The following year, the 69th Texas Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution #37. In 1986, planning and implementation was completed by a statewide steering committee together with the Texas Department on Aging Staff, members of the Area Agencies on Aging, and various volunteers. The elected members of the first TSHL met for a five-day training and orientation session in July of 1986. The Secretary of State swore in the first TSHL members on September 29 of that year. THE TEXAS SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURE Statement of Beliefs • All Senior Citizens should have the opportunity to achieve dignity and independence. • Senior Citizens experience unique problems. They have special abilities and talents, which result from years of experience. • Good government is the result of the active participation of informed citizens. • Being an informed and active voter is the highest responsibility of citizenship. • Effective and lasting solutions to problems result from involvement of those most closely related to the problems. • Volunteer representatives elected by their peers, having close contact with their constituents, are qualified to discuss issues on aging and recommend solutions to problems of older Texans. Mission Statement Older Texans are the fastest growing segment of the population. The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, which was established by Concurrent Resolution of the Texas Senate in April 1985 (Senate Resolution 37 of the 69th Texas Legislature), provides the opportunity for older Texans to solve problems unique to aging. In addition, the Silver-Haired Legislature can make Texas an even better place for all citizens through programs of education, discussion, and encouraging the involvement of older Texans in legislative and governmental affairs. Vision Statement The vision of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature is that the applied wisdom, energy, and experience of aging will improve the lives of all Texans through education, knowledge, and involvement in legislation and governmental affairs. iv T O P 10 R E S O L U T I O N S 1 2 The 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature 2014 – 2015 The 15th TSHL passed a total of 76 resolutions during the Legislative Session, April 28 – May 2, 2014, in the Texas State Capitol. The resolutions that follow ask the 84th Texas Legislature for specific actions to benefit older Texans. The TSHL membership selected the “Top Ten” priorities as those most important to older Texans statewide: Resolution Number Title and Resolve To: Rank and Author Increase the Personal Needs Allowance for Medicaid Residents in Nursing Homes. R27 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Jetta encourages and strongly recommends that the 84th Texas Roberts Legislature alleviate the plight of this group of Texas seniors by 1 Carlos setting a level of no less than $75.00 (seventy-five dollars) a month Higgins for the personal needs allowance and making this issue a budget priority. Restore the Texas Department on Aging RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature R34 recommends that the 84th Texas Legislature restore the Texas Chris Kyker Department on Aging, the Texas Board on Aging, and the Carlos Commissioner with authority to adopt appropriate polices, rules 2 Higgins and procedures relating to "grass roots" planning, advocacy and service delivery that focus on our rapidly growing senior population. Preserve or increase Current Funding for Home-Delivered Meals R40 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature urges Jetta the 84th Texas Legislature to direct the Department of Aging and 3 Roberts Disability Services to adjust its ceiling cost to actual cost for Home Delivered meals to the elderly. Ban the use of hand-held cell phones for texting while driving R11 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Larry recommends that the 84th Texas Legislature pass legislation to 4 Johnson make Texas the 40th state to ban the use of handheld cell phones for texting by drivers except in the case of emergencies. 3 Provide Dental Benefit for Title XIX Seniors and Seniors With Incomes at or Below 200% of Poverty Guidelines R35 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature urges John P. the 84th Texas Legislature to provide a full dental benefit to all 5 Giovannini seniors receiving Title XIX Medical Assistance and all seniors with incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Continue to Support the Defined Benefit Pension Plan for Teacher Retirement System Participants R42 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature urges Nancy Byler the 84th Texas Legislature to go on record as supporting the 6 et al. continuation of the Defined Benefit Plan for all retired participants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Redistricting Reform Using a Nonpartisan Commission R43 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Albert recommends that the 84th Texas Legislature enact redistricting Campbell 7 legislation or provide for a constitutional amendment (referendum) et al. using a nonpartisan commission approach. Enact a Statutory Basic Will for Texas R24 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Mona recommends that the 84th Texas Legislature enact into law the Bailey Jetta creation of simple and low cost statutory wills that reflect seniors' 8 Roberts typical preferences and expectations to encourage them to complete basic estate planning. Regulate the Payday and Auto Title Lending industry R03 RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Linda recommends that the 84th Texas Legislature pass legislation that 9 Parrish regulates the Payday and Auto Title Lending Industry. Allow Physicians to Prescribe Marijuana for Medical Purposes RESOLVED, That the 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature urges R68 the 84th Texas Legislature to enact laws similar to those in effect Carlos in other states which allow physicians to prescribe marijuana for 10 Higgins medical purposes without fear of being prosecuted under state laws governing the use of marijuana. 4 R E S O L U T I O N S U M M A R Y 5 The 15th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Adopted Resolutions For the 84th Texas Legislature The TSHL passed 76 resolutions during our session in the chambers of the Texas House of Representatives April 28 – May 2, 2014.