SRC-MAX S.B. 827 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 827
By: Ellis
State Affairs
3-16-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas has 88 agencies that regulate everything from alligator
farming to new chemical plants.  There are concerns that these agencies
may enforce regulations that are duplicative, outdated, and unnecessarily
burdensome.  In a survey of 10 large state agencies, the Texas Performance
Review found that seven had increased their number of regulations during
the past five years, four agencies by 40 percent or more.  This bill
directs the Texas Performance Review to conduct a comprehensive review of
state regulation and associated paperwork and processes, and to report its
findings and recommendations to the 76th Legislature.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 827 sets forth duties for the comptroller regarding the
Texas Performance 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. Defines "state agency" and "Texas Performance Review."

SECTION 2. Requires the comptroller to include a review of the scope,
cost, and efficiency of the state's regulatory process in the next
comprehensive review performed by the Texas Performance Review.  Requires
the Texas Performance Review staff to analyze the rules of agencies and
develop recommendations to make regulatory processes more efficient.
Requires the Texas Performance Review staff to obtain comments and
recommendations from individuals and businesses affected by the agency's
regulatory process through public hearings or other means, including
electronic communications.  Requires the recommendations to be filed with
the legislature not later than November 15, 1998. 

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act expires September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.  

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amendment 1:

Amends SECTION 2 to strike a sentence which required the Texas Performance
Review staff to analyze the rules of an agency when reviewing that agency
and to develop recommendations to make the agency's regulatory process
more efficient.  Add a new provision requiring the Texas Performance
Review staff to analyze the rules of agencies and develop recommendations
to make regulatory processes more efficient.