SRC-MAX H.B. 66 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 66 By: Cuellar (Zaffirini) State Affairs 5-17-97 Committee Report (Amended) 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Amendment 1. Page 3, line 17, strike "or." Page 3, line 19, strike "." and insert ";or" and the following: (4) affecting employee pensions and benefits.