SRC-TBR H.B. 2852 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2852
77R10258 JJT-FBy: Junell (Ellis, Rodney)
Finance
5/3/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

At the conclusion of each biennium, the State of Texas has a number of
outstanding claims and judgments against it for varying amounts of money.
The claims consist of warrants voided by the statute of limitations,
outstanding invoices to private vendors, unpaid charges for Medicaid
recipients, or court judgment settlements.  These claims require additional
appropriations to be made to honor the state's obligations under the law.
H.B. 2852 sets forth sums of money appropriated out of various accounts to
pay certain claims and judgments against the State of Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out the
General Revenue Fund Account No. 0001 for payment of itemized claims and
judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 2.  Providesthat certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
State Highway Fund No. 0006 for payment of itemized claims and judgments
plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
Operators and Chauffeurs License Fund Account No. 0099, for payment of
itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of
Texas. 

SECTION 4.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Fund Account No. 0116, for
payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the
State of Texas. 

SECTION 5.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
Federal Adult Blind Fund Account No. 0141, for payment of itemized claims
and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 6.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
General Revenue Fund Account No. 0001, for payment of itemized claims and
judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 7.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
Watermaster Administration Fund Account No. 0158, for payment of itemized
claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 8.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
Federal Civil Defense and Disaster Relief Fund Account No. 0221, for
payment of itemized claims and judgments plus  interest, if any, against
the State of Texas. 

SECTION 9.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of the
General Revenue Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund Account No. 0469, for
payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the
State of Texas. 

SECTION 10.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of
the General Revenue Fund Account No. 0001, for payment of itemized claims
and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 11.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of
the Safety Responsibility Trust Account No. 0914, for payment of itemized
claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 12.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of
the Unemployment Compensation Clearance Fund Account No. 0936, for payment
of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State
of Texas. 

SECTION 13.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of
the Workforce Commission Federal Fund Account No. 5026, for payment of
itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of
Texas. 

SECTION 14.  Provides that certain sums of money are appropriated out of
the Texas Department of Human Services, out of funds as provided by
Subsection (b) of this section, for payment of itemized claims and
judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. 

SECTION 15. (a)  Requires that before any claim or judgment may be paid
from money appropriated by this Act, the claim or judgment be verified and
substantiated by the administrator of the special fund or account against
which the claim is to be charged and be approved by the attorney general
and the comptroller of public accounts.  Prohibits any claim or judgment
itemized in this Act that has not been verified and substantiated by the
administrator of the special fund or account and approved by the attorney
general and the comptroller by August 31, 2002, from being paid from money
appropriated by this Act. 

(b)  Requires that each claim or judgment paid from money appropriated by
this Act to contain such information as the comptroller of public accounts
requires but at a minimum must contain the specific reason for the claim or
judgment.  Requires a claim, if the claim is for a void warrant, to include
a specific identification of the goods, services, refund, or other item for
which the warrant was originally issued.  Provides that in addition, it
include a certification by the original payee or the original payee's
successor, heirs, or assigns that the debt is still outstanding.  Requires
that if the claim or judgment is for unpaid goods or services, to be
accompanied by an invoice or other acceptable documentation of the unpaid
account and any other information that may be required by the comptroller. 

SECTION 16.  Provides that subject to the conditions and restrictions in
this Act and provisions stated in the judgments, the comptroller of public
accounts is authorized and directed to issue one or more warrants on the
state treasury, as soon as possible following the effective date of this
Act, in favor of each of the individuals, firms, or corporations named in
Sections 1-13 of this Act, in an amount not to exceed the amount set
opposite their respective names and shall mail or deliver to each of the
individuals, firms, or corporations one or more warrants in payment of all
claims included in this Act. Requires the comptroller to issue warrants to
the Texas Department of Human Services for payment in favor of each of the
individuals, firms, or corporations listed in Section 14 of this Act. 

SECTION 17.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.