HB+354+Texas+Legislature+81st+Session


 * HB 354**

State Representative Fred Brown filed a bill on the date of December first, two thousand and eight. It will be declining any food stamp benefits for those who have been formally convicted of distribution of a controlled substance if they are not able to pass a drug test. This is a project to try and prevent people from being involved in selling and consuming drugs. The drug test will only be given to those who have been convicted for distribution of controlled substance if the time period of the application is within the last five years. There are some thing's in this bill that need to be understood fully. The Texas Controlled Substance Act has a particular definition about the phrase controlled substance. The drug marijuana is not included in the Brown legislation. The program will provide the drug testing for each of the applicants. Also this Act is only for the person who applies for the benefits of food stamps program. Food Stamps are created to try and help people when they are in most need of it. Even when working, food stamps are offered to those who qualify for the help. For those who have been convicted for distribution of controlled substance, along with the five year period, they are obligated to test for drugs. If the person tests and is not indicated to have any kind of controlled substance along with oversubscribed medicine, they are required for monthly drug test while receiving benefits. The obligation of attending the monthly drug test will make some people miss some days at their job. This means they would make less money and could additionally lose their jobs. The law is not providing any kind of fault for the people who miss days of lose their job to take their drug test. It is also argued that this bill is making some people go back to their old ways and sell drugs to be able to feed their families. But they are doing all they can to try and help people with their economic situation. In the other hand, if the applicant is tested positive for a controlled substance or a substance that was not prescribed to them, they will be denied benefits for food stamps. The applicant may re-apply in one year after the drug test was administered. After the one year, the applicant may apply again but must come in for monthly drug tests to keep receiving food stamps. Disregarding the point in time of the applicants conviction. When rejected benefits of food stamps, the company by law must report to the applicant that they are denied and are ineligible to receive any welfare. Also to be completely positive, they must be given a second drug test. Or in some cases they might do different procedures, according to the case they are dealing with. Some applicant will want to fight the results of their drug test so they are given a public hearing to try and defend themselves with a good argument. There is no sponsors and or co-sponsors that were to be found because this is a state law implementation and it is funded by the state therefore no sponsors would be needed only. The only things that they would need is the Legislature's approval. A thorough analysis was not required it was simply added into the Human Resources Code to activate its involvement with the code. There is no interest groups involved with this bill. Fred Brown was born in Esslengen, Germany in the year of 1954. He is the husband a of Jane Brown and he is Father of two. He is a Texas House of Representative's member who presides over district 14 in Bryan, Texas which is currently serving as his home as well in (college station). He attended Texas A&M University and is labeled as a businessman. He has served as a Representative for a total of ten years and remains in office. His experience is in car business as he was employed by various car dealerships prior to his election as a state representative. Brown clearly does not allow his religion preference to interfere with his political career. His affiliation is not stated in any documents I researched in. Sensible topics such as religion should be left aside the way that representative of district-14 does. He does not The following are his three assigned committees: Appropriations, Appropriations S/C on general government, Technology, Economic Development and Workforce. Representative Brown proves to be an exceptional man. He has authored important and necessary bills such as: operations of Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Land and Resource Management, modified instructional calendar providing an early college education, and adjusting curriculum in political science and American history at higher level institutions. The next bill is critical especially in disaster prone areas such as our hometown: prices of certain consumer goods and services during a declared state of disaster. This bill will not allow price gouging in case of such event. Bills like these should be passed throughout especially on gas, we as a community have experienced this pricing “monopoly” during natural disasters such as hurricanes Rita as well as Ike. He also authored the following: expanding availability of classroom and other facilities for use by junior college, allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are part of a long term care facility, and annuity payments for Teacher Retirement System along with many others. In reality the many bills he has authored have helped aid institutions such as education, health and our community This act will be an amendment to chapter 33, section 33.061 of the Human Resources Code. Therefore it is not necessarily a law itself it simply aids in preexisting and well established set of laws. Along with them Crimes-Drugs, Food Stamps, Drug and Alcohol Testing were implemented as well with the arrival of this newly introduced act which will go in effect on September 1, 2009 (unless a waiver is requested by the state agency the date of effectiveness will be delayed until it is granted.)