PAK H.B. 1208 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


STATE AFFAIRS
H.B. 1208
By: Maxey
3-26-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

The Comptroller of Public Accounts Texas Performance Review, in the
December 1996 report, "Disturbing the Peace," recommended that the
Legislature authorize the comptroller to develop an electronic travel
voucher system for reimbursement to state employees for state travel. 

Currently, the comptroller's office processes roughly 400,000 travel
reimbursement claims per year.  The present reimbursement system requires
state employees to complete paper vouchers with all appropriate
documentation and receipts, send those documents to a supervisor for
approval, and forward the materials to the comptroller for reimbursement.
This system requires numerous authorization signatures and therefore can
not be transmitted electronically to the comptroller.  This system has
caused long delays in reimbursements to some state employees for travel
expenses, especially in field offices.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, this bill would authorize the comptroller to require travel
vouchers be submitted electronically.   

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. amends Section 660.041, Government Code to allow the
comptroller to require travel expense forms to be submitted electronically
to the comptroller without receipts or other records.  The provision
allows the comptroller to require that receipts or other records be
retained by the agency for auditing purposes. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.