BILL ANALYSIS
S.B. 1070
By: Harris
Administration
3-23-95
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND
In March 1991, the staff of the Texas Legislative Council concluded
a study of anticipated space needs for the legislature and
legislative agencies. The study concluded that, by the time the
Capitol restoration and extension projects were completed, space
available in the Capitol Complex would be inadequate for the needs
of the governmental entities housed there.
The 73rd Legislature secured the former State Board of Insurance
Building and authorized $46 million in bonds for the purchase and
renovation of the Texas Employment Commission Buildings near the
complex for legislative use. Funds were also authorized for
remodeling of the Sam Houston Building.
Following the 73rd Legislature, the lieutenant governor and speaker
designated representatives of their staffs to work with legislative
council and legislative budget board staff as a legislative space-management working group to make recommendations to address space
needs of the legislature and legislative agencies housed in the
complex. The group identified a need for at least 225,000
additional usable square feet of office space in close proximity to
the Capitol Complex over the next 25 years.
PURPOSE
As proposed, S.B. 1070 authorizes the approval of space to be
allocated by the legislature for the use by the legislature and
legislative agencies.
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 4.01(b-1), Article 601b, V.T.C.S. (State
Purchasing and General Services Act), as follows:
(b-1) Allocates the space in the old State Board of Insurance
State Office Building, located on San Jacinto Street between
11th and 12th streets in Austin, the Sam Houston Building, and
the John H. Reagan Building to the legislature and legislative
agencies for their use. Allocates, upon written notice signed
by both presiding officers (officers) and delivered to the
General Services Commission (commission), the Lorenzo de
Zavala State Library and Archives Building, Stephen F. Austin
Building, Lyndon B. Johnson Building, and William B. Travis
Building to the legislature and legislative agencies to the
extent described in the notice. Requires the commission to
begin immediately to undertake the relocation of agencies
occupying space in buildings allocated to legislative use.
Requires the space to be made available for legislative use on
a date determined by the presiding officers. Requires the
officers of each house of the legislature to jointly decide
the allocation of the space within each building.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 27, Article 601d, V.T.C.S., as follows:
Sec. 27. (a) Approves the estimated cost of $46,000,000 for
the construction of a legislative services office building and
parking facilities and authorizes bonds to be issued to
finance the construction in accordance with Section 10 of this
Act. Deletes requirements for the Texas Employment Commission
to sell to the commission office buildings and parking
facilities in its possession in or near the Capitol Complex.
(b) Allocates the space in the office building and parking
facilities to the legislature and legislative agencies for
their use. Deletes existing Subsection (b) which authorizes
the commission to renovate the facilities as necessary for
occupancy in accordance with the allocation of space within
the building and the commission's requirement to consider
the cost to the Texas Employment Commission of alternative
space outside the Capitol Complex.
SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
Effective date: upon passage.