BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 3086
                                           By: Combs (Armbrister)
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          5-25-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Texas' energy office has served to administer the expenditure of
the state's oil overcharge funds.  As concerns increased about
energy management, conservation of natural resources, and utility
rates, among other matters, the state established an energy
management center within the governor's office to implement the
state's energy policies.  

The governor has indicated a desire to move the energy office and
the energy management center to the General Services Commission
(GSC), a state agency already involved in many of the activities of
the energy management center.  The GSC is larger than the
governor's office and may be better suited to perform the
coordination and implementation necessary to achieve the state's
needs, including serving as the state liaison for federal energy
policies.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3086 transfers the energy office and the energy
management center from the governor's office to the General
Services Commission and authorizes the agency to work with other
state agencies to implement federal energy policies.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2305.002(3), Government Code, to redefine
"energy office."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2305.011, Government Code, as follows:

     Sec. 2305.011.  New heading:  ADMINISTRATION BY GOVERNOR AND
     ENERGY OFFICE.  Requires the energy office of the General
     Services Commission (energy office), rather than the governor,
     to send to the appropriate federal entity all information
     required under applicable federal guidelines.  Redesignates
     existing Subsection (d) as Subsection (e).  Makes conforming
     changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 2305.037, Government Code, to provide
that the energy office is the supervising state agency which shall
administer the Native American restitutionary program.  Makes
conforming changes.

SECTION 4. Amends the heading of Chapter 447 and Section 447.001,
as follows:

              CHAPTER 447.  ENERGY MANAGEMENT CENTER

     Sec. 447.001.  ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER.  Establishes the
     energy management center (center) in the General Services
     Commission to be authorized to promote those policies of the
     state enumerated in this chapter, rather than as a division of
     the office of the governor.
SECTION 5. Amends Sections 447.004(a), (c), and (d), to make
conforming changes.

SECTION 6. Amends Sections 447.005-447.007, Government Code, to
make conforming changes.

SECTION 7. Amends Sections 447.008(a) and (e), to authorize the
center to assist state agencies, which are hereby authorized to act
in accordance with this section, in implementing federal energy
policy.  Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 8. Amends Section 447.011(a), Government Code, to make
conforming changes.

SECTION 9. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.