BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1924
By: Maxey
04-30-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The State of Texas spends about $70,000 a year to purchase copies
of the Official State Mileage Guide, issued by the Statistical
Research Service in Austin.  Intercity travelers are required to
use the guide to calculate distances between cities in order to
receive reimbursement from the state.  Because of continuous
highway construction, the shortest routes between cities change,
quickly outdating the guide.  Thus the state must purchase guides
annually to fulfill obligations to the law.  The system would be
made more accurate and cost-effective by creating an electronic
state mileage guide which would be flexible to changes and updates.

PURPOSE

H.B. 1924 encourages state agencies to develop and use an
electronic gas mileage guide.  The state would produce a hard-copy
version to accommodate smaller offices lacking the necessary
computer hardware.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 660.053, Government Code, requiring state
           agencies to adopt a mileage guide available in both
           electronic and printed forms that provides information
           on the shortest routes and distances between cities. 
           The guide will be updated only as necessary rather than
           the mandated yearly reissue.  The comptroller will
           encourage the use of the electronic mileage guide and
           prescribe the circumstances for use of the guide.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to posting of public hearing the House Committee on State
Affairs convened in a public hearing on April 19, 1995.  The Chair
laid out HB 1924 and recognized Rep. Maxey to explain the bill. 
The Chair recognized the following person to testify neutrally on
the bill: Roger Vallejo representing the State Comptroller's
Office.  The Chair recognized Rep. Maxey to close.  The Chair left
HB 1924 pending.  In a public hearing on April 24, 1995 the Chair
laid out HB 1924.  The bill was reported favorably without
amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed,
and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a
record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nay, 0 pnv and 2 absent.