SRC-TJG H.B. 898 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 898 78R6257 ESH-FBy: Hamilton, et al. (Staples) Intergovernmental Relations 5/9/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The Central Travel Office of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) negotiates with private travel agents and transportation providers to obtain reduced travel rates for certain public employees traveling on official business. The law permits numerous governmental entities to take advantage of these rates, including employees of the state's legislative and executive branches, employees of higher education institutions, and employees of the Employees Retirement System. The 76th Texas Legislature authorized county officers and employees to also participate in the state's contract for travel services, thus reducing the cost of travel expenses incurred by a county. H.B. 898 allows officers and employees of a public junior college or a school district engaged in official business to participate in the state's travel services. This bill also limits the amount of reimbursement that a school district or public junior college may make to district officers or employees to the amount determined using the state travel allowance guide. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 2171.055, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2171.055, Government Code, by adding Subsection (f) to authorize an officer or employee of a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, or of a school district who is engaged in official business to participate in the Texas Building and Procurement Commission's (TBPC) contract for travel services. Authorizes TBPC to charge a participating public junior college or school district a fee not to exceed the costs incurred by TBPC in providing services under this subsection. Requires TBPC to periodically review fees and to adjust them as needed to ensure recovery of costs incurred in providing services to public junior colleges and school districts under this subsection. Requires TBPC to deposit the fees collected under this subsection to the credit of the public education travel account. Provides that the public education travel account is an account in the general revenue fund that may be appropriated only for the purposes of this chapter. Requires TBPC to adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 44, Education Code, by adding Section 44.044, as follows: Sec. 44.044. LIMIT ON EXPENDITURES FOR TRAVEL SERVICES. Prohibits a school district or public junior college from reimbursing an officer or employee for expenditures for travel services in excess of the applicable amount determined using the state travel allowance guide adopted by the comptroller of public accounts under Section 660.021 (Rules), Government Code. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.