H.B. 3041 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3041 By: Cook, Robby Government Reform Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission) shares authority with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Education Agency for establishing safety standards for school buses. Specifically the commission has the authority to adopt and enforce rules governing the design, color, lighting and other equipment, construction, and operation of school buses. H.B. 3041 removes the Commission's authority and designates the Department of Public Safety as the primary agency charged with school bus safety standards. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the committee that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 2 (Section 547.7015 (a) and (b)) of this bill. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.002 of the Education Code by deleting language referring to the General Services Commission. SECTION 2. Amends Section 547.7015 (a) and (b) of the Transportation Code by deleting language referring to the General Services Commission. Deleting this language effectively transfers the Commission's rulemaking authority with respect to school bus safety standards to the Department of Public Safety. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.