SCT H.B. 2131 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


STATE FEDERAL & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
H.B. 2131
By: Hunter
4-7-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

The current $300 threshold for retention of title to items purchased under
the Library Systems Act was an arbitrary amount set in 1982 to protect the
interests of the State.  The present amount set by the Governor's Office
to establish title and ownership is $1,000.  Repeal of this section would
allow the amount set by the Governor's Office to apply.   

The retention of title law is in place to make sure that there is a means
of retaking possessions that are stolen or not returned to the State
Library.  The low $300 amount requires unnecessary paperwork and staff
resources for state and local governments to account for materials and
equipment costing between $300 and $1,000.  Repeal of this requirement
would  allow retention of title for only those truly valuable items and
would result in an estimated savings in State Library and library systems
staff time totaling $7,500 per year for five years. 

PURPOSE

Repeal Section 441.136(e), Government Code, allowing the State Libraries
to only hold title to library materials and equipment if the value is
$1000 or larger. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Repeals Section 441.136(e)

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.   Emergency Clause.