BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.S.J.R. 1
By: Ellis (Siebert, Stiles)
May 16, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

State leaders have advocated the abolition of the state treasury as
a means to save taxpayers money, reduce duplicative efforts, and to
streamline government.

PURPOSE

S.J.R. 1 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional
amendment abolishing the office of state treasurer and transferring
the treasurer's powers and duties to the comptroller of public
accounts.

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. Adds a temporary provision to the Texas Constitution,
as follows:

     TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a) Applies this provision to the
     constitutional amendment proposed by the 74th Legislature
     abolishing the constitutional office of state treasurer.
     
     (b) Abolishes the constitutional office of state treasurer
       effective September 1, 1997.  Provides that the transfer of
       specific constitutional powers and duties takes effect on
       that date.  Transfers the statutory powers and duties and
       the property and other obligations of the treasurer to
       officers and agencies of state government in the manner that
       the legislature provides by general law.
       
       (c) Provides that this temporary provision expires September
       1, 1997.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 49-e, Article III, Texas Constitution,
to make a conforming change.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 49-f(b), Article III, Texas Constitution,
to make a conforming change.

SECTION 4. Amends Sections 49-g(i) and (j), Article III, Texas
Constitution, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 5. Amends Section 50c(b), Article III, Texas Constitution,
to make a conforming change.

SECTION 6. Amends Section 61, Article III, Texas Constitution, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 7. Amends Section 1, Article IV, Texas Constitution, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 8. Amends Section 23, Article IV, Texas Constitution, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 9. Amends Section 4, Article VII, Texas Constitution, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 10.    Amends Section 11b, Article VII, Texas Constitution,
to make a conforming change.

SECTION 11.    Amends Section 17(1), Article VII, Texas
Constitution, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 12.    Amends Section 18(j), Article VII, Texas
Constitution, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 13.    Amends Section 2, Article XV, Texas Constitution, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 14.    Amends Sections 70(h) and (q), Article XVI, Texas
Constitution, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 15.    Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to
be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5,
1996.  Sets forth the required language for the ballot.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute bill changes the abolition date from September 1,
1996 to September 1, 1997.  The substitute also changes the ballot
date from November 7, 1995 to November 5, 1996.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SJR 1 was considered by the Committee on State Affairs in a public
hearing on May 1, 1995 to consider SJR 1.  The chair laid out SJR
1 and explained the resolution.  The following persons testified
neutrally on the resolution: Martha Whitehead representing herself
and Mike Doyle representing himself.  The following person
testified against the bill: James A. Cooley representing himself:
James A. Cooley representing himself.  The chair left SJR 1
pending.  SJR 1 was considered by the Committee on State Affairs in
a public hearing on May 9, 1995.  The Chair laid out SJR 1.  The
committee considered one amendment to the bill.  The amendment was
adopted without objection.  The chair requested the staff to
incorporate the amendment into a complete substitute.  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 9 ayes, 3 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.