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 There are concerns that these agencies may enforce regulations that are duplicative, outdated, and unnecessarily burdensome.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.