PMWJ H.B. 791 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 791
By: Gallego
3-12-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 State agencies are prohibited from accepting grants and gifts unless
specifically authorized by statute.  Occasionally, the Office of Court
Administration has learned of the availability of grants from national
agencies such as the State Justice Institute which could be used to
improve and enhance court administration programs in Texas, but has been
prohibited from applying for such funds. 


PURPOSE

 H.B. 791 would authorize the Office of Court Administration to request,
accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations to carry out the
statutory purposes of the office. 


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 adds a new Section 72.028, Gifts, Grants, and Donations, to the
Government Code. 
 Subsec. (a) authorizes the Office of Court Administration to request,
accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations to carry out the
statutory purposes of the office.   
 Subsec. (b) prohibits the acceptance of gifts, grants and donations from
a law firm, an attorney, an employee of a law firm or a spouse of an
attorney or employee of a law firm. 
 Subsec. (c) defines "law firm."

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.