SRC-SEW S.B. 304 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 304
By: Lucio
State Affairs
6/18/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The State Aircraft Pooling Board (SAPB), created by the 66th Legislature in
1979 to operate a pool for aircraft owned or leased by the state, provides
air transportation services to state officials and employees traveling on
official state business and provides ground services for aircraft owned by
the state.  The SAPB provides cost-effective travel and a flexible
schedule; however, it is operating an aging fleet that is not large enough
to meet increasing demands.  Moreover, it is not providing updated travel
information.  S.B. 304, in accordance with the recommendations of the
Sunset Advisory Commission (commission), requires the SAPB to keep track of
complaints; provide information on the State Employee Incentive Program;
develop a long-range plan for its aircraft usage and needs; maintain an
updated website posting information related to travel and other services
provided by the SAPB; and continues the agency for another 12 years. 

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.  Amends Chapter 2205A, Government Code, by adding new Sections
2205.017 and 2205.018 and by redesignating existing Section 2205.017 as
Section 2205.019, as follows:   

Sec. 2205.017.  INFORMATION ON COMPLAINTS.  Requires the State Aircraft
Pooling Board (board) to maintain a file on each written complaint filed
with the board.  Requires the file to include certain stated items.
Requires the board to provide to the person filing the complaint and to
each person who is a subject of the complaint a copy of the board's
policies and procedures relating to complaint investigation and resolution.
Requires the board, at least quarterly until final disposition of the
complaint, to notify the person filing the complaint and each person who is
a subject of the complaint of the status of the investigation unless the
notice would jeopardize an undercover investigation. 

Sec. 2205.018.  STATE EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.  Requires the executive
director or the director's designee to provide to employees of the board
information and training on the benefits and methods of participation in
the state employee incentive program. 

Sec. 2205.019. Provides that the State Aircraft Pooling Board is abolished
unless continued in existence as provided by Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset
Act), and this chapter expires September 1, 2013. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 2205.032, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c), as follows: 

(c) Requires the board, as part of the strategic plan that the board
develops and submits under Chapter 2056 (Strategic Plans of Operation), to
develop a long-range plan for its pool of aircraft.  Requires the board to
include appropriate portions of the  long-range plan in its legislative
appropriations request.  Requires the plan to include certain estimates.
Requires the board, in developing the plan, to consider certain stated
factors for each aircraft in the pool. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 2205B, Government Code, by adding Section
2205.047, as follows: 

Sec. 2205.047.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE INTERNET.  Requires the board to
post information related to travel and other services provided by the board
on an Internet site maintained by or for the board.  Requires the site to
be generally accessible to state agencies, persons who use the board's
services, and, to the extent appropriate, the general public. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.