IMF H.B. 2453 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


STATE AFFAIRS
H.B. 2453
By: Delisi
5-9-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

Military installations in Texas have an important economic impact on both
the state as a whole and on local communities.  For example, Fort Hood is
the largest single employer in the State of Texas.  This fact means not
only jobs for military personnel, but also a strong civilian workforce,
dependents who are educated and work in local communities, and commerce
created at the local level.  The fiscal and social impacts of Texas
military presence are evidenced by the last round of BRAC, where economies
in parts of the state were devastated by base closures and downsizing.   
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 2453 would create the Advisory Commission on
Military Forces in Texas.  The commission would: develop policies to
support the viability of military service in Texas; develop contingency
plans to support and promote the military in the event of reduction,
closure, or conversion of military bases; improve employment opportunities
for displaced military workers; and assist the Texas Department of
Commerce in completing its quarterly economic impact statement relating to
the military. 

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 Subtitle C, Title 4 of the Government Code by adding
Chapter 436 as follows: 

Section 436.001 defines "commission."

Section 436.002 provides that the Advisory Commission on Military Forces
in Texas is composed of nine public members appointed by the governor and
two ex officio members: the chair of the state, federal and international
relations committee; and the chair of the committee in the Texas Senate
with primary  jurisdiction over matters concerning veteran's affairs and
military installations. 

Section 436.003 provides that the nine public members serve staggered
three year terms and that the terms of the ex officio members end when
they leave their respective chairs. 

Section 436.004 requires the governor to select a presiding officer.

Section 436.005(a) prohibits a public member of the commission from
receiving compensation, but they are entitled to reimbursement for their
travel expenses. 

Section 436.005(b) provides that legislative members' compensation is
based on the current guidelines for legislative pay and do not change with
participation in the commission. 

 Section 436.006 requires the commission to meet quarterly.

Section 436.007 states that current advisory committee law does not apply
to the commission. 

Section 436.031 requires the commission to:
 -study the long-term viability of the military in Texas;
 -develop contingency plans to address possible base reductions and
closures; 
 -develop methods to improve public and private employment opportunities
for  displaced military personnel; 
 -serve as an advisory committee to the Texas Department of Commerce on
the  effect of the military on the state's economy; and 
 -assist in producing the quarterly economic impact statement prepared by
the  Texas Department of Commerce. 

SECTION 2.  Requires the governor to appoint members to the commission as
soon as possible after the effective date of this Act. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
 
SECTION 1.

Adds  Sec. 436.006 that the Commission shall meet at least quarterly.
Makes  conforming changes. 

Adds Sec. 436.031 subsection (4), stating that the Commission shall serve
as an advisory committee to the Texas Department of Commerce on the effect
of the military on the economy of this state.