SRC-AXB S.B. 495 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 495
76R4999  MCK-FBy: Truan
Veterans Affairs
3/18/1999
As Filed


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 community, and set forth requirements for
the Office of Defense Affairs. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 495 sets forth requirements for the Office of Defense
Affairs and Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission regarding
assisting defense-dependent communities 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, and to administer all funds related to the
assistance.  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 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 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.