JH C.S.H.B. 2446 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


URBAN AFFAIRS
C.S.H.B. 2446
By: Greenberg
4-10-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

In order for the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority to gain the public
trust and to move forward in a positive manner, it is necessary to have an
independent performance audit of the agency.  The state comptroller has a
great deal of expertise that can enable the Capital Metro Board Members
and staff to make operations as efficient as possible. 

PURPOSE

C.S.H.B. 2446 provides that certain metropolitan transit authorities are
subject to performance audits by the state comptroller and allows
comptroller to withold sales tax revenue for cost of performing audit. 

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 Chapter 451 of the Transportation Code  by adding
Section 451.458.    
  
   451.458(a) Subjects transit authorities confirmed before July 1, 1985
and with             principal city under 750,000 to comptroller audit 
  
   451.458(b) Permits audits to be requested by legislative leaders or at
comptroller's discretion.  Audits allowed every two years. 

   451.458(c) Audits filed with legislative leaders.

   451.458(d) Allows comptroller to withold sales tax revenue from transit
authority for cost of performing audit. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute adds subdivision (d) regarding authority of comptroller to
withold sales tax revenue.