BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1344 By: Gallegos (Raymond) 05-16-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Until recently, the General Services Commission exempted from the reach of its authority any purchases of supplies, materials, services or equipment for the conduct of any litigation brought or defended by the attorney general that could be taxed as costs in such litigation. However, the commission is claiming that such purchases fall within the commission's authority, and cite, in support of its position, the fact that no exemption to its authority is set forth in Section 3.02, Article 601b, V.T.C.S. PURPOSE S.B. 1344 provides that the General Services Commission's authority does not extend to purchases of materials for the conduct of any suit, action, or proceeding brought or defended by the office of the attorney general. 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 3.02, Article 601b, V.T.C.S., to provide the General Services Commission's authority does not extend to purchases of supplies, materials, services, or equipment for the conduct of any suit, action, or proceeding brought or defended by the office of the attorney general, when such entities may be taxed as costs in such a suit, action, or proceeding, among other limits to the commission's authority. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION SB 1344 was considered in public hearing on May 8, 1995. The chair laid out the bill and recognized Rep. Raymond to explain the bill. The following person provided neutral testimony on the bill: Jerry L. Benedict representing the Office of the Attorney General. The bill was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record vote of 12 aye, 0 nay, 0 PNV, and 3 absent.