H.B. 1061 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1061 By: Griggs Government Reform Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Central Travel Office of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission) 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 Employee Retirement System. The 76th Legislature passed SB 204, authorizing 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. Based on the inclusiveness of the statute, it seems logical to extend these cost-saving benefits to municipal employees as well, since they are required to travel, sometimes extensively, on official business. Travel expenses can represent a sizable portion of a municipal budget and an everincreasing expense to the taxpayers. Allowing municipalities to participate in travel service contracts could significantly reduce expense to local governments, as well as potentially strengthen the state's negotiating position by increasing the volume of travelers pooled. HB 1061 would allow municipal employees and officers to participate in the state's travel pool to obtain rates for official travel duties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission in SECTION 1(Section 2171.055, Government Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS SECTION 1 - Amends Section 2171.055, Government Code, by adding Subsection (f), which allows municipal officers or employees to utilize the commission's contract for reduced airline and travel agent fees when traveling on official municipal business. The commission may charge a municipality an adjustable fee that does not exceed the commission's cost. Directs the commission to deposit fees to a municipality airline fares account in the general revenue fund, and makes those funds only useable for purposes of this chapter. Directs the commission to adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary. SECTION 2 - Effective date. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act has 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 necessary for immediate effect, it takes effect September 1, 2003.