SRC-AXB S.B. 495 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 495 By: Truan Veterans Affairs 6/11/1999 Enrolled DIGEST During the 75th Legislature, S.B. 932 established the Office of Defense Affairs and the Texas Strategic Military Commission. The offices were mandated to work together to develop long-term strategies to prepare for base realignment and closures. S.B. 495 would continue to strengthen and focus attention on the defense dependant communities, and set forth requirements for the Office of Defense Affairs. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 495 sets forth requirements for the Office of Defense Affairs and Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission regarding assisting defense-dependent communities to enhance their relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses. 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 481.0065, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 481.0065. OFFICE OF DEFENSE AFFAIRS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development (DED) to appoint a director to manage the Office of Defense Affairs (ODA). Makes conforming changes. (b) Requires the ODA to provide information regarding federal actions affecting military installations and missions to the legislature, the Texas congressional delegation, and state agencies, and financial issues related to federal military installations in Texas, including the loss of jobs for defense-related entities. Requires the ODA to assist defense-dependent communities in various ways. Deletes ODA requirements regarding assessments. Makes conforming changes (c) Requires the ODA to prepare an annual report about the active military installations, defense-dependent communities, and defense-related businesses in Texas, and sets forth the required information of the report. Deletes text authorizing the DED to enter into an agreement with a private contractor to perform the required assessment. (d) Requires state agencies to cooperate with and assist the ODA in the preparation of the required report, including providing certain information. Requires the ODA to submit its report to the governor and legislature by July 1 each year. (e) Requires the ODA to coordinate an annual meeting with certain entities to discuss the implementation of recommendations outlined in the required report. (f) Authorizes the ODA to enter into an agreement with a consulting firm which provides information and assistance on a pending decision regarding the status of military installations and defense-related businesses in Texas. (g) Defines "state agency." SECTION 2. Amends Sections 481.0066(g) and (h), Government Code, to provide that Chapter 2110, rather than Article 6252-33, V.T.C.S., does not apply to the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission (SMPC). Requires the SMPC to make recommendations regarding the development of methods to assist certain communities to enhance their relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses. Makes conforming changes. Deletes text requiring the DED to make recommendations on the development of a certain contingency plan, and a certain quarterly economic impact statement. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.