BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         H.B. 244
                                        By: Yarbrough (Wentworth)
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          5-25-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Military bases contribute billions of dollars to the state economy
each year.  With more bases closing in Texas, there has been a
substantial loss in economic benefits.  In addition, military bases
contribute to the welfare of veterans, primarily retired veterans,
as well as support for the Reserves and both National and State
guards.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 244 authorizes the governor to coordinate the
efforts of the state to receive maximum federal support for base
closings, reductions, and conversions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the governor under SECTION 1 (Sections 743.005(c) and 743.006,
Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Title 7, Government Code, by adding Chapter 743,
as follows:

        CHAPTER 743.  FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY BASE
                REDUCTION, CLOSURE, OR CONVERSION

     Sec. 743.001.  DEFINITIONS.  Definitions  "federal
     assistance," "local government," and "military base."
     
     Sec. 743.002.  COORDINATION BY GOVERNOR.  (a) Requires the
     governor to initiate and coordinate the efforts of state
     government to obtain the maximum amount available of federal
     assistance for the state and its local governments in
     connection with the reduction, closure, or conversion of
     federal military bases (bases) in this state.  Requires other
     state agencies to assist the governor to initiate efforts by
     bringing relevant information to the governor's attention.
     
     (b) Authorizes the governor to initiate and requires the
       governor to coordinate the efforts of a local government or
       a combination of local governments (state and local
       governmental entities) to obtain the maximum amount of
       federal assistance in connection with the reduction,
       closure, or conversion of bases.
       
       (c) Requires state and local governmental entities to obtain
       the maximum amount of available assistance in connection
       with the reduction, closure, or conversion of bases.
     Sec. 743.003.  GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF STATE AGENCY OR
     LOCAL GOVERNMENT.  (a) Authorizes the governor to act on
     behalf of state and local governmental entities to obtain the
     maximum amount of available federal assistance in connection
     with the closing of bases.
     
     (b) Prohibits the governor, without consent of the governing
       body of an affected local government, make an agreement or
       assurance on behalf of the local government.
     Sec. 743.004.  ACTION IF ASSISTANCE WITHHELD OR DEFERRED. 
     Requires the governor to take any action that the governor
     considers necessary or appropriate to meet the needs of a
     state or local governmental entity in connection with the
     reduction, closure, or conversion of bases if any federal
     assistance, contract, or payment is withheld or deferred from
     a state agency or local government.
     
     Sec. 743.005.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a) Requires the governor
     and the lieutenant governor to each appoint three members to
     an advisory committee established to assist the governor in
     administering this chapter.  Requires the governor to
     designate one of the members as the presiding officer of the
     committee.  Provides that a member of the committee serves at
     the will of the appointing authority.
     
     (b) Sets forth requirements for the advisory committee.
       
       (c) Requires the advisory committee to advise the governor
       on actions under this chapter.  Requires the governor to
       inform the committee of proposed rules and proposed actions
       for the committee's review and comment.
     Sec. 743.006.  RULES.  Authorizes the governor to adopt rules
     for the administration of this chapter.
     
     Sec. 743.007.  ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION.  Requires the
     governor, state agencies, and local governments to act to
     obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance for
     environmental remediation necessary in connection with the
     closure or conversion of a federal military base.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.