BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.S.B. 550
By: NIXON (HOLZHEAUSER)
03-07-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

With certain limited exceptions, current law does not provide
express authority to the Railroad Commission of Texas to accept or
receive gifts, grants, or money from private or federal sources in
support of its programs.

PURPOSE

As proposed, this bill authorizes the Railroad Commission of Texas
to solicit, receive, and accept grants, gifts, or money from any
source in support of any purpose or program of the commission.

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 Title 112, Revised Statutes, by adding Article
6447i to allow the commission to request, accept, or administer
gifts, grants, and donations or other assistance from various
sources to carry out any commission responsibilities authorized by
law.

SECTION 2.  Emergency Clause.
           Effective Date: Upon passage.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute removes subsection (b) from the Engrossed Senate
bill which was added as an amendment on the senate floor. This
returns the bill to its introduced form.  Subsection (b) had
limited the amount of a gift or donation the Railroad Commission of
Texas could receive and at what time they could receive a gift from
a party in a contested case.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 550 was considered by the Energy Resources Committee in a
formal meeting on March 9, 1995. The Committee considered a
complete substitute to the bill. The substitute was adopted without
objection. The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record vote of
8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 1 absent.