SRC-MAX H.B. 66 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 66
By: Cuellar (Zaffirini)
State Affairs
5-14-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The state government has passed unfunded mandates, requiring local
governments to conduct activities, but not provided funding for those
activities.  Local governments have requested relief from these unfunded
mandates. This bill establishes an interagency work group to catalogue and
to review unfunded mandates.      

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 66 sets forth provisions regarding unfunded mandates on
political subdivisions. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Tittle 3B, Government Code, by adding Chapter 320, as
follows:  

CHAPTER 320.  UNFUNDED MANDATES ON POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

Sec.  320.001.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "interagency work group" and "state
mandate." 

Sec.  320.002.  UNFUNDED MANDATES INTERAGENCY WORK GROUP.  Provides that
the unfunded mandates interagency work group (group) consists of certain
public officials.  Provides that a member of the group is not entitled to
additional compensation  for service on the group.  Authorizes a member of
the group to use any person employed by the member's agency to complete
the member's work on the interagency work group.  Authorizes the members
of the group to enter into an interagency memorandum of understanding
regarding the completion of the work required by this chapter.  Requires
the group to perform certain actions.   

Sec.  320.003.  LIST OF UNFUNDED MANDATES.  Outlines provisions regarding
a list of unfunded mandates published by the group.  Provides that a
mandate is considered to be a mandate for which the legislature has
provided reimbursement if the legislature performs certain actions.
Provides that this section does not apply to certain mandates.  

Sec.  320.004.  REVIEW OF UNFUNDED MANDATES.  Sets forth provisions
regarding the review of unfunded mandates by the group.  Authorizes the
legislature by law to continue the mandate for a period not to exceed
three years, repeal the mandate, or take no action on the mandate. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.