IMF H.B. 3206 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS

STATE AFFAIRS
H.B. 3206
4-11-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

The Federal Surplus Property Program, as part of the General Services
Commission, is the conduit through which the federal government donates
surplus property to state agencies, political subdivisions, and certain
nonprofit agencies in Texas.  The commission is responsible for
maintaining an inventory of surplus property, determining the eligibility
of participants, and monitoring federal compliance requirements.  The
commission provided approximately $51,000,000 in federal surplus property
in 1996. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3206 would reorganize the administration of the
commission and update the state surplus and salvage disposal process by
excluding recyclable materials from the sale process, integrating the
state property accounting system, and allowing state agencies to dispose
of worthless property. 

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 Sec. 2152.104, Government Code, to remove the assigned
divisions for the commission's three associate deputy directors and delete
the requirements that an associate deputy director be assigned solely for
the administration of the federal surplus property division under the
direction of the commission.  

SECTION 2. Amends Sec. 2175.004, Government Code, to clarify the authority
of the Civil Air Patrol to receive surplus property. 

SECTION 3. Amends Sec. 2175.123, Government Code, to make the period of
time during which a party may coordinate transfer of surplus property
coincide with the monthly dissemination of information regarding surplus
property.  Adds "assistance organization" as a party that may coordinate
transfer of surplus property.  Establishes that the reporting agency may
set the price of the transfer of the property. 

SECTION 4. Amends Sec. 2175.124, Government Code, to require reporting of
transferred property only to the comptroller and discretionary adjustment
of state property accounting records. 

SECTION 5. Amends Sec. 2175.125, Government Code, to make the period of
time during which a party may coordinate transfer of surplus property
coincide with the monthly dissemination of information regarding surplus
property. 

SECTION 6. Amends Sec. 2175.183, Government Code, to increase the value of
property required to be locally advertised from $1,000 to $5,000. 

SECTION 7. Amends Sec. 2175.184, Government Code, to rename the state
inventory as the state property accounting system. 

 SECTION 8. Amends Sec. 2175.241, Government Code, to remove the
requirement that the destruction of worthless property be reported to and
approved by the commission.  Requires a record of destruction and
indication of removal from state property accounting records. 

SECTION 9. Amends Sec. 2175.242, Government Code, to rename the state
inventory as the state property accounting system. 

SECTION 10. Amends Sec. 2175.303, Government Code, to allow state agencies
to exclude recyclable items from the competitive bid process. 

SECTION 11. Amends Sec. 2175.362, Government Code, to permit the federal
surplus property program to operate independently from the commission. 

SECTION 12. Amends Sec. 2175.370, Government Code, to designate the
section as being applicable to federal surplus property. 

SECTION 13. Amends Sec. 2175.902, Government Code, to rename wastepaper as
paper for recycling and to delegate recycling authority to state agencies. 

SECTION 14. Repeals Sec. 2175.003, Government Code.

SECTION 15. Emergency Clause.  Effective date:  upon passage.