C.S.H.B. 3043 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3043
By: Cook, Robby
Government Reform
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 
The Statewide Travel Management Program (STMP) of the Texas Building and
Procurement Commission (TBPC) is charged with the responsibility of
securing contracts with airlines, rental car companies, hotels, and travel
agents to provide quality and cost-effective travel services to state
employees who must travel to perform their official duties.  Over the last
two years, the travel industry has changed significantly.   As a result,
statutory changes are necessary to provide TBPC with the flexibility to
adapt to the changes in the travel industry and develop the most
cost-effective options to provide travel services to state agencies.   
 
The bill amends Chapter 2171 of the Government Code to eliminate the
mandate that TBPC contract with private travel agents, transportation
providers, and other entities that provide travel services to the State of
Texas.   Instead of requiring TBPC to use specific types of contracts to
provide travel services, the amended language provides TBPC with the
permissive flexibility to consider all contracting options and select the
method that is in the best interest of the State.  


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.  Amends Sections 2171.052 (b) and (c) of the Government Code by
replacing the words shall with may to give the Commission the option of
negotiating contracts with private entities for the purpose of providing
travel services.  

SECTION 2.  Repeals Sections 2171.052 (e) of the Government Code to
eliminate the requirement that the Commission maintain at least one
contract with a provider of travel services. 

SECTION 3.  Effective Date.

EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.  

   
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute deletes language in SECTION 1 of the original bill to
provide the Commission with the option to make contracts with travel
agents that meet certain requirements prescribed by the central travel
office, with preference given to resident entities of this state. 

The substitute deletes SECTION 2 from the original bill, to maintain
current law, and renumbers the remaining sections accordingly.  The
substitute deletes Sections 2171.055(b), (c), and (d) from SECTION 3 of
the original bill, to leave these sections in the current law.