SRC-MAX S.B. 330 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 330
By: Armbrister
State Affairs
2-25-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, future review of the State Office of Administrative Hearings'
(SOAH) functions are not expressly authorized by statute.  During the
interim of the 74th Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor charged the
Senate State Affairs Committee to review the effectiveness of the transfer
of administrative hearings from individual state agencies to SOAH.   S.B.
330 provides that SOAH is subject to periodic sunset review. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 330 provides that the State Office of Administrative
Hearings is subject to periodic sunset review. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2003B, Government Code, by adding Section
2003.023, as follows: 

Sec.  2003.023.  SUNSET PROVISION.  Provides that the State Office of
Administrative Hearings (SOAH) is subject to review under Chapter 325
(Texas Sunset Act), but is not abolished under that chapter.  Requires the
office to be reviewed during the periods in which state agencies abolished
in 2003 and every 12th year after 2003 are reviewed.   

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.