H.B. 29 78(3)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 29
By: Luna
Appropriations
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In the 78th Regular Session, HB 1606 was passed, which included new ethics
requirements for elected officials and permitted the Texas Ethics
Commission to increase fees for lobbyist registration.  The Texas Ethics
Commission is charged with implementing the new provisions of HB 1606,
however the computer system that the Agency utilizes is need of
modernization and maintenance.   

HB 29 appropriates the additional revenue generated from increased
lobbyist registration fees, in an amount not to exceed $267,400 for the
FY04-05 biennium, to the Texas Ethics Commission for the development and
implementation of an electronic filing system for lobbyists. 


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

HB 29 appropriates additional revenue generated by the increase in the
amount of lobbyist registration fees under Section 305.0064, Government
Code, as added by Chapter 249, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2003, to the Texas Ethics Commission, in an amount not to exceed
$267,400, for the development and implementation of the electronic filing
system for lobbyists. 

HB 29 mandates that any state employee benefit costs incurred during the
state fiscal biennium in connection with the administration of Section
305.0064, Government Code, as added by Chapter 249, Acts of the 78th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, shall be paid out of the
appropriations made in Subsection (a) and shall be allocated to the
appropriate employee benefit appropriation items. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

Immediate effect if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members
elected to each house. If this act does not receive the vote for immediate
effect, the act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.