H.B. 12 78(2)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 12
By: Swinford
Government Reform
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently the component agencies of the legislative branch are configured
in a variety of different manners.  The Legislative Budget Board as well
as the Texas Legislative Council are both chaired by the Lieutenant
Governor, whereas the Legislative Audit Committee elects its own Chairman.

H.B. 12 would alter the organization of the Texas Legislative Council, the
Legislative Budget Board, and the Legislative Audit Committee.  H.B. 12
would also add an two additional members to the Sunset Advisory Commission
as well as altering representation on the Texas Legislative Council. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
 
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

H.B. 12 allows the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor to
serve as joint chairs of the Legislative Audit Committee.  It provides
that subpoenas issued by the committee must be signed by either of the
chairs of the committee or the secretary.   

H.B. 12 designates the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor as
joint chairs of the Legislative Budget Board. It allows the board to act
on any matter that is within its jurisdiction by a majority vote if a
quorum is present.  H.B. 12 allows the board to meet at any time at the
request of either of the joint chairs, as well as upon the written
petition of a ma jority of the members of the board from each house.  H.B.
12 allows expenses of the board to be reimbursed upon the approval of one
of the joint chairs, and grants either of the joint chairs the authority
to appoint inspection committees.  Furthermore, either of the joint
chairs' signatures is required for the issuance of a subpoena by the
board.   

H.B. 12 decreases the number of House members serving on the Texas
Legislative Council from nine to four.  It also provides that the Speaker
of the House and the Lieutenant Governor serve as joint chairs of the
Council.  The Council may meet at any time at the request of either of the
joint chairs, and a majority of the members of the council from each house
of the legislature now constitutes a quorum, instead of the previous
requirement of twelve members.  H.B. 12 allows council expenditures and
salaries to be reimbursed upon approval by either of the joint chairs.
Advisory committees can be appointed by either of the joint chairs as
well.   Any subpoena issued by the Council must first be signed by either
of the joint chairs, and either of the chairs may request the attorney
general to issue opinions or render advice to the Council.   

H.B. 12 increases the number of appointees to the Sunset Advisory
Commission made by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor
from four members of each house to five. The Speaker and Lieutenant
Governor will continue to also appoint one member of the public to serve
on the commission.  Seven members of the commission now constitute a
quorum.   
       
This Act takes effect December 1, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act will take effect December 1, 2003.