HBA-KDB, JEK H.B. 641 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 641
By: Flores
State Affairs
2/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas-Mexico border region has been the subject of many state and
federal mandates.  There is concern that these mandates may not have been
accompanied with the resources necessary to fulfill the mandates.  House
Bill 641 requires the comptroller of public accounts to study state and
federal mandates affecting the border region and to report the findings of
the study to the legislature. 

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 641 requires the comptroller of public accounts (comptroller) to
study the state and federal mandates affecting the region of the state near
the border with Mexico.  The bill provides that the study must include an
examination of judicial and law enforcement issues, financial policies,
environmental policies, transportation infrastructure issues, and the North
American Free Trade Agreement.  The bill establishes December 15, 2002 as
the deadline by which the comptroller is required to file a written report
with the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives regarding the results of the study. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. This Act expires February 1, 2003.