IMF H.B. 2841 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS H.B. 2841 By: Stiles 4-11-97 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND The 74th Legislature proposed S.J.R. 1 to abolish the constitutional office of state treasurer. Under S.B. 20, the implementing legislation for S.J.R. 1, all powers and duties of the state treasurer were transferred to the comptroller of public accounts. The voters approved S.J.R. 1 and the office of state treasurer was accordingly abolished effective September 1, 1996. In transferring the responsibilities of the treasurer to the comptroller, the bill makes some quasisubstantive changes. For example, both the treasurer and the comptroller had to review bonds, resulting in two reviews and certifications. Under the proposed bill, the comptroller would only have to complete one review of bonds while dropping the additional review required of the treasurer. Such a change from two reviews to one may be considered a substantive change. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2841 would make conforming changes to the statutes to reflect the abolition of the office of State Treasurer. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does expressly grant additional rulemaking authority to the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS ARTICLE 1. Amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 2. Amends the Agriculture Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 3. Amends the Business Corporation Act to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 4. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 5. Amends the Education Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 6. Amends the Election Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 7. Amends Chapters 403 and 404 of the Government Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 8. Amends the other provisions of the Government Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 9. Amends the Human Resources Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 10. Amends the Health and Safety Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 11. Amends the Insurance Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 12. Amends the Labor Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 13. Amends the Local Government Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 14. Amends the Natural Resources Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 15. Amends the Texas Probate Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 16. Amends the Property Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 17. Amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 18. Amends the Transportation Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 19. Amends the Tax Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 20. Amends the Water Code to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 21. Amends Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes to reflect the abolishment of the office of state treasurer. ARTICLE 22. Contains a statement of purpose; establishes that the bill does not revive an abolished fund or account or an abolished dedication of revenue for a particular purpose; sets the effective date at September 1, 1997; provides an emergency clause. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee amendment number 1 corrects an error found in the Legislative Council database. Committee amendment number 2 deletes the section dealing with Bingo taxes and fees previously collected by the treasurer; these fees are currently collected by the Lottery Commission, not the Comptroller.