C.S.H.B. 3305 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3305
By: Berman
Appropriations
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Due to the current budget shortfall,  state agencies and institutions of
higher education were asked to prioritize spending based on core functions
and essential services.  The committee looked to these priorities in
preparation of the budget; however, certain statutory changes are also
needed to conform with appropriations levels in the 2004-05 General
Appropriations Act. Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 authorizes these
statutory changes for the public safety and criminal justice agencies
listed under Article V of the 2004-05 General Appropriations Act. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority expressly granted
to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is modified in SECTION 3
(Section 5.50(b), Alcoholic Beverage Code) of this substitute. 

ANALYSIS

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 amends the Government Code to provide
that certain sections of Chapter 2102 do not apply to the Criminal Justice
Policy Council.  

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 directs the Adjutant General's
Department to reduce expenditures by optimizing federal funding and
implementing cost-saving measures. 

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code by
deleting language that requires surcharges collected by the Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission to be set at a level that would make the
total amount of collected surcharges plus fees equal to the appropriation
to the commission for the regulation of alcoholic beverages.   

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 amends the Human Resources Code by
changing from 19 to 18 the age at which a person is transferred from
custody of the Texas Youth Commission to the pardons and paroles division
of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to serve the remainder of the
person's sentence. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 modifies the original by adding
language that amends the Human Resources Code by changing from 19 to 18
the age at which a person is transferred from custody of the Texas Youth
Commission to the pardons and paroles division of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice to serve the remainder of the person's sentence. 

Committee Substitute House Bill 3305 modifies the original by removing
language that authorizes the legislature to reduce or eliminate statutory
amounts going to Article V state agencies if necessary to balance the
budget.