C.S.H.B. 2382 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 2382
By: Hegar
Agriculture & Livestock
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is required to
inspect at least once every three years all gas pumps, scales, packages
and price scanners.  An analysis was conducted by TDA to identify areas
where improvements can be made in program efficiency and cost savings
while minimizing an impact on services.  In the Weights and Measures
program where gas pumps, scales, packages and price scanners are
inspected, it is estimated that changing from a 3-year rotation for
inspection of pumps and scales to a 4-year rotation, and focusing on
complaints for package and scanner inspections, will free up 9.5 FTEs
(full-time employees). 

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

C.S.H.B. 2382 amends the Weights and Measures section of the Agriculture
Code to require that a weight or measure be inspected and tested for
correctness at least once every 4 years instead of every 3 years. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The committee substitute amends the caption of the bill and makes
nonsubstantive changes to the body of the bill to conform to the drafting
format of the Texas Legislative Council.