SRC-HRD H.B. 1673 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1673
By: Hunter (Shapiro)
Finance
5-1-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Prior to the sunset review of the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission in the 74th Legislature, the commission had statutory authority
to pay commission members per diem and reimburse them for actual expenses
incurred in connection with attending commission meetings. The statute was
amended during the sunset review process in the last session of the
legislature to extend the authorization to include reimbursement for
actual expenses incurred in the pursuit of commission business not
connected with commission meetings.  Unfortunately, in the process of
adding this  authorization, the Sunset Commission staff inadvertently
deleted the per diem provision. A recent audit by the Comptroller of
Public Accounts uncovered this change and, in spite of the fact that funds
have been appropriated for per diem payments, the disbursements were
disallowed.  The Sunset Commission staff has confirmed that deleting
authority for per  diem for commission members was not the intent of the
legislation. Accordingly, this legislation would restore authorization to
pay Texas State Library and Archives Commission members per diem in
connection with attending meetings of the commission.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1673 authorizes the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission to pay its members per diem, in keeping with the General
Appropriations Act, for attending a meeting of the commission. 

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 Section 441.001(n), Government Code, to provide that a
member of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (commission) may
not receive compensation for services as a member but is entitled to the
per diem provided by the General Appropriations Act for attending a
meeting of the commission.  Provides that a member is also entitled to
reimbursement for actual expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
the performance of those services, subject to any applicable limitation on
reimbursement provided by the General Appropriations Act. 

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