SRC-AAA H.B. 791 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 791 By: Gallego (Ellis) Jurisprudence 4-18-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, state agencies are prohibited from accepting grants and gifts, unless specifically authorized by statute. The Office of Court Administration has learned of the availability of grants from national agencies which could be used to improve and enhance court administration programs in Texas, but has been prohibited from applying for such funds. H.B. 791 authorizes the Office of Court Administration to request, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations from certain sources. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 791 authorizes the Office of Court Administration to request, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations from certain sources. 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 Chapter 72C, Government Code, by adding Section 72.028, as follows: Sec. 72.028. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. Authorizes the Office of Court Administration (office) to request, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations from any source. Prohibits the office from requesting, accepting, or administering a gift, grant, or donation from a law firm, an attorney, an employee of a law firm or attorney or the spouse of an attorney or of an employee of a law firm or an attorney. Defines "law firm." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.