H.B. 1396 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1396
By: Berman
Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under Chapter 161, Natural Resources Code, The Veterans' Land Board may
spend money made from sold bonds to pay for surveying expenses and
monumenting land, road construction, legal fees, advertising costs and
fees related to the sale of land, and other costs necessary or incidental
to the purchase/sale of land acquired by the VLB.  These expenses shall be
added to the price of the land when sold/resold by the Board.  The Board
currently is permitted to award a contract up to $10,000 in order to
purchase supplies and services for repairs or maintenance of land in order
to make the land more marketable or useable without the necessity of
soliciting or obtaining competitive bids. HB 1396 increases the amount of
money the Board may award to $25,000.   

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

SECTION 1.  HB 1396 increases to $25,000 the amount the Veterans Land
Board may award to purchase supplies, materials, services and equipment to
make improvements, repairs or maintenance of board-owned land.   

SECTION 2.  Effective Date:  September 1, 2003, unless the Act receives
the necessary votes for immediate effect.