SRC-SEW S.B. 1078 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1078
77R8490 DWS-FBy: Barrientos
State Affairs
3/15/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Since 1991, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been
reviewed twice by the Sunset Advisory Commission, audited 15 times by the
State Auditor's Office (SAO), and involved in an additional 24 statewide
SAO reviews.  The most recent review of TxDOT was an extensive, $1 million
audit completed by the State Comptroller's Office in January 2001.
Legislation enacted by the 72nd Legislature requires TxDOT to carry out an
independent audit of its management and business operations, beginning in
the year 2001 and every 12 years thereafter.  The intent of the independent
audit and its timing is to facilitate sunset reviews of TxDOT and provide
additional insight into its operations.  As proposed, S.B. 1078 changes the
year in which the initial audit must be performed to re-align the
independent audit with sunset review and provide TxDOT some relief from
having to undertake another audit immediately following the comptroller's
comprehensive performance review. 

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 Section 201.109(b), Transportation Code, to require the
Texas Transportation Commission (commission), in carrying out this section,
to provide for contracting for an independent audit of the department's
management and business operations in 2007 (rather than 2001) and each 12th
year after 2007. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.