HBA-MSH H.B. 564 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 564
By: Noriega
Transportation
4/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1977, the Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission
(commission) to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency
in government agencies. The commission questions the need for each agency,
looks for potential duplication of other public services or programs, and
considers new and innovative changes to improve each agency's operations
and activities.  The Port of Houston (port) ranks first in the United
States in foreign tonnage and second in total tonnage of goods that are
moved through the port.  The port is funded through taxes as well as from
revenue generated by port business, which generated $7.7 million in revenue
in 1997.  Given the large impact of the port on the economy and environment
of Texas, it may be beneficial to subject the port authority to the sunset
process in order to eliminate waste and inefficiency in its operations.
House Bill 564 subjects the port authority to review by the commission, but
prohibits its abolition through that review. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 564 amends law to provide that the Port of Houston Authority is
subject to review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, but prohibits the
authority from being abolished under the Texas Sunset Act.  The bill
requires the review to be conducted as if the authority were scheduled to
be abolished September 1, 2003, and September 1 of every 12th subsequent
year.  The bill requires the authority to pay for the costs of the review. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.