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.