SRC-MAX S.B. 1526 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1526
By: Lucio
State Affairs
4-16-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Texas was owed nearly $3.2 billion in receivables at the end of fiscal
1995.  In Texas, each agency is responsible for collecting money it is
owed. State law requires each agency that collects delinquent obligations
to establish procedures for collecting receivables in accordance with
guidelines established by the Office of the Attorney General.  This bill
establishes specific procedures for the collection of delinquent
obligations to the state.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1526 establishes procedures for the collection of
delinquent obligations to the state. 

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 Section 2107.003, Government Code, to authorize the
comptroller to employ, retain, or contract with a person other than a
full-time state employee to collect delinquent obligations that are owed
the comptroller in the comptroller's official capacity, are not collected
through normal collection procedures, and do not meet the guidelines
adopted for collection by the attorney general.  Authorizes a contract
under this subsection to include a collection fee computed on the amounts
collected under the contract.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2107.004, Government Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 3. (a)  Requires the comptroller and the attorney general jointly
to conduct a study of the collection of delinquent obligations to the
state.  Requires the officers to identify state agencies owed a
significant amount of delinquent obligations and include representatives
of those agencies in the group performing the study. 

(b)  Requires the study group to identify the best procedures for
collecting delinquent obligations, examine procedural changes that would
reduce the time and cost of collection, and determine the benefits and
drawbacks, including savings and costs, of centralizing the collection of
delinquent obligations. 

(c)  Requires the study group to submit its findings and recommendations
to the 76th Legislature by filing a copy of a report of the study with the
lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house not later than January 1,
1999. 

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