SRC-JXG H.B. 3294 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3294
76R7173 SRC-DBy: Goolsby (Armbrister)
Criminal Justice
5/3/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law prohibits the resale of products made in the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) on the open market. However, TDCJ
makes state flags, which the legislature has been purchasing and reselling
to house and senate members for a number of years. The sale of these items
may be considered a Class B misdemeanor. H.B. 3294 would exempt Texas flags
and similar items from the prohibition on reselling prison-made products,
and would authorize either house of the legislature to acquire and provide
for the sale and distribution of the items. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3294 sets forth provisions regarding the sale of Texas
flags and similar items by the legislature. 

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 Chapter 301B, Government Code, by adding Section 301.033,
as follows: 

Sec. 301.033. SALE OF TEXAS FLAGS AND SIMILAR ITEMS. Authorizes either
house of the legislature to acquire and provide for the sale of Texas flags
and other items carrying symbols of the State of Texas.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 497.010, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c), to provide that it is an exception to the application of this section
that the article or product sold is a  state flag or similar item produced
for sale or distribution by the legislature under Section 301.033.  

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.