By: Raymond H.B. No. 4186       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the administration of human services block grant   programs          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Government Code Section 2105 is amended in part   to read:          Sec. 2105.002.  COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS NOT INTENDED TO   REDUCE SERVICES. The process of combining categorical federal   assistance programs into block grants should not have an overall   effect of reducing the relative proportion of services and benefits   made available to low-income individuals, elderly individuals,   individuals with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal   agricultural workers, provided that no individual who would have   received services before the categorical assistance program was   combined into a block grant shall be ineligible solely because the   program has been combined into a block grant.          Sec. 2105.005  PRIORITY TO POVERTY PROGRAMS. (a)  An agency   should give priority to programs that remedy the causes and cycle of   poverty if:                (1)  the alleviation of poverty is a purpose of the   block grant; and                (2)  the agency has discretion over the types of   programs that may be funded with the block grant.          (b)  In administering a block grant, an agency shall consult:                (1)  low-income recipients;                (2)  low-income intended recipients; and                (3)  organizations representing low-income   individuals.          (c)  To the extent consistent with the purpose of the block   grant, an agency's rules shall ensure that providers use block   grant funds to the maximum benefit of low-income recipients and   intended recipients and shall ensure, in regard to any categorical   program administered by the provider which has been combined into a   block grant, that no individual who would have been eligible to   receive services before the categorical assistance program was   combined into a block grant shall be ineligible solely because the   program has been combined into a block grant.          Sec. 2105.054.  NOTICE OF HEARING. (a)  An agency shall:                (1)  provide notice of a public hearing regarding the   plan for a block grant not later than the 15th day before the date of   the hearing;                (2)  post the notice in a conspicuous place in each   agency office;                (3)  include in the notice a clear and concise   description of the matters to be considered including but not   limited to the extent of anticipated reductions or increases in   services under the block grant and a statement of the manner in   which written comments may be submitted;                (4)  maintain lists of interested persons;                (5)  mail notices of hearings to interested persons;   and                (6)  conduct other activities necessary to promote   public participation in the public hearing.          (b)  A notice prepared under this section must be printed in   English and Spanish.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017