IMF S.B. 1903 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS S.B. 1903 By: Truan (Hunter) 4-25-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Secretary of State in his role as ambassador and chief of protocol for the state is often asked to receive gifts on behalf of the state. Currently, the Secretary of State is not authorized to accept gifts, grants, or donations. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2985 would allow the Secretary of State to accept gifts for purposes related to the office. However, the bill would also allow the Secretary of State ot decline gifts that may not be used reasonably or economically. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 405, of the Government Code by adding Section 405.005 as follows: Section 405.005 (a)-(b) allows the Secretary of State to accept and solicit gifts, grants, or donations on behalf of the state for any purpose related to the office of Secretary of State. The section also allows the Secretary of State to decline any gift, grant, or donation if determined that accepting the gift would not be economical or reasonable. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.