HBA-NRS S.B. 1078 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1078
By: Barrientos
Transportation
4/29/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In the past decade, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been
audited and reviewed numerous times. Current law requires TxDOT to carry
out an independent audit of its management and business operations
beginning in 2001 and every 12 years thereafter. The intent of the
independent audit and its timing is to facilitate sunset review of TxDOT
and provide additional insight into its operations. To provide TxDOT some
relief from having to undertake another audit immediately following the
comptroller's comprehensive performance review, Senate Bill 1078 changes
the year in which the initial audit must be performed to 2007 and amends
the time interval between audits to re-align the independent audit with
sunset 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

Senate Bill 1078 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas
Transportation Commission, in enhancing existing sources of revenue and
creating alternate sources of revenue, to provide for contracting for an
independent audit of the Texas Department of Transportation's management
and business operations in 2007, rather than 2001, and each sixth year
after 2007. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 requires the Texas Transportation Commission to
provide for contracting for an independent audit of the Texas Department of
Transportation's management and business operations every 12 years, rather
than every six years, after 2007.