Legislative Information

03:25  Committee Chair, Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair lays out Committee Substitute for HB 3287 and recognizes senate sponsor Senator Hughes.

03:32  Senator Hughes, Bill Sponsor

Good morning Madam Chair, and members. I thank you and excellent committee staff who worked with us through this bill. 3287 directs the Health & Human Services Commission to set up a statewide program to provide co-navigation services to DeafBlind Texans. The bill provides co-navigation services, as those provided to a person who is DeafBlind, that assists the person to physically access their environment and to make informed decisions.  

And so, the Committee Substitute, which you were very kind to lay out—as the Nelson amendment, to address any concerns about the fiscal note. And you will hear from the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. There were questions in previous sessions about the costs of this bill, and we thought it was going to be a whole lot more, but based on the work done by the Governor’s commission [sic], we know that it is much smaller. And this is what the bill does: it is a good bill that will really help people in a meaningful way, at a very low cost. And so, I humbly ask for your support.

04:27  Chair

Thank you. Members, are there any questions of Senator Hughes? [no questions] The Chair calls Ron Lacey, or Lucey—I’m not sure.

04:45  Ron Lucey

Good morning Senator. Good morning committee members. My name is Ron Lucey. I’m the Executive Director of the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. I am here to testify on HB 3287 as a resource witness. I have sent out copies of our SSP/Co-Navigator Report to the committee. 

This is a revised report from our report to the 86th Texas Legislature. In the 86th session, the Governor’s committee presented this recommendation to the Health & Human Services committee, and based on feedback and guidance from that committee we revised the recommendation to include eligibility criteria and an updated fiscal note.

In 2016 the Governor’s Committee was directed by Governor Abbott to meet with members of the Deaf community. And as an outcome of that meeting with that Deaf Rally at the Capitol, we identified substantial service gaps for DeafBind Texans. It is hoped that the establishment of this program will allow DeafBlind Texans to lead more independent and productive lives; and avoid unnecessary institutionalization. So at this time, if you have any questions, I am here as a resource to you to address anything you have on the bill.

06:13  Chair

Members, any questions of the witness? [no questions] Sir, I appreciate you being here and testifying on this. Thank you for your report. I appreciate it very much. With no other questions, we will leave this bill pending until we take public testimony later in the hearing.