SRC-PNG S.B. 34 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 34 76R1837 DLF-DBy: Shapiro Economic Development 3/16/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, volunteer centers are nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose primary purpose is to recruit and refer individuals for other nonprofit groups in an area. In order to protect charity organizations from the threat of expensive lawsuits, in 1987 the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Charitable Immunities Act (Act). The Act put a $1 million dollar cap on damages in suits against charitable organizations. However, it was unclear whether volunteer centers were covered under this legislation. This bill includes volunteer centers among the protected organizations of the Charitable Immunities Act. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 34 limits the liability of certain volunteer centers. 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 84.003(1), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to redefine "charitable organization" to include a volunteer center, as that term is defined by Section 411.126, Government Code. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.