SRC-JRN S.B. 937 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 937
By: Harris
Intergovernmental Relations
3-30-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, no state law exists for the creation of the Texas Advisory
Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (commission).  Twenty-seven
states currently have advisory commissions on intergovernmental relations
to provide information to their legislatures on state and local issues
that affect the respective states.  This bill creates the commission for
purposes of providing a forum for discussion of intergovernmental issues;
conducting and coordinating research on the issues; collecting and
distributing information; and publishing and distributing research and
conference reports. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 937 creates the Texas Advisory Commission on
Intergovernmental Relations, which is required to provide a forum for
discussion of intergovernmental issues; conduct and coordinate research;
collect and distribute information; and publish and distribute research
and conference reports. 

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 Title 1, Government Code, by adding Chapter 741, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 741.  TEXAS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS

Sec. 741.001. DEFINITIONS.  Defines "commission," and "local government."

Sec. 741.002. ESTABLISHMENT.  Establishes the Texas Advisory Commission on
Intergovernmental Relations (commission) as an agency of the state. 

Sec. 741.003. PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS.  Sets forth the purpose, function and
requirements of the commission. 

Sec. 741.004. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.  Requires the composition of the
commission to include seven members meeting certain requirements appointed
by the governor, a member of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental
Relations appointed by the lieutenant governor, and a member of the House
Committee on Urban Affairs or the House Committee on County Affairs
appointed by the speaker of the house.  Provides that service on the
commission by a public official is an additional function and does not
constitute the holding of a public office.  Requires a member of the
commission to serve a two-year term, which expires September 1 of each
odd-numbered year.  Authorizes the lieutenant governor or speaker, as
applicable, to appoint any member who serves on a committee with
jurisdiction relating to local government, if certain committees specified
in this section do not exist. 

Sec. 741.005. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF COMMISSION.  Requires the
members of the commission to elect a presiding officer and secretary for
two-year terms. Requires the commission to hold at least one meeting every
six months and at other times the presiding officer considers necessary.
Requires an agency of the state and any local government to make available
any information or document not confidential that is requested by the
commission, and to cooperate with the commission in carrying out its
functions. 

Sec. 741.006. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.  Requires the University of
Texas at Arlington School of Urban and Public Affairs (school) to provide
the commission with an executive director and other staff necessary to
carry out its powers and duties.  Requires the dean of the school to
appoint the executive director of the commission, in consultation with the
commission. 

Sec.  741.007. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.  Prohibits a member of the
commission from receiving a salary for service on the commission, but is
entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses incurred
in performing duties of the commission.  

Sec. 741.008. CONTRACTS.  Authorizes the commission to apply for, receive,
and expend funds from certain entities.  Requires funds received under
this section to be managed by the school and to be maintained in the
accounts of the University of Texas at Arlington. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amendment 1.

Page 2, lines 23-24, replace "(3) collect and distribute information on
intergovernmental issues; and" with "(3) a member of the House Committee
on Urban Affairs or the House Committee on County Affairs appointed by the
speaker of the house."