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.