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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 304
77R1072 JRD-DBy: Lucio
State Affairs
3/5/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 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.  As proposed, 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.