S.B. 304 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 304
By: Brimer
Government Reform
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Central Travel Office of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission
negotiates with private travel agents and transportation providers to
obtain reduced travel rates for certain public employees traveling on
official business.  The law permits numerous governmental entities to take
advantage of these rates including employees of the state's legislative
and executive branch, employees of higher education institutions, and
employees of Employee Retirement System.  The 76th Legislature passed SB
204, authorizing county officers and employees to also participate in the
state's contract for travel services thus reducing the cost of travel
expenses incurred by a county. 

Based on the inclusiveness of the statute, it seems logical to extend
these cost-saving benefits to municipal employees as well, since they,
too, are required to travel, sometimes extensively, on official business.
Travel expenses can represent a sizable portion of a municipal budget and,
as such, represent an ever-increasing expense to the taxpayers. Allowing
municipalities to participate in travel service contracts could
significantly reduce expense to local governments, as well as potentially
strengthen the State's negotiating position by increasing the volume of
travelers pooled. 

SB 304 would allow municipal employees and officers to participate in the
State's travel pool to obtain reduced rates for official travel duties. 

 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Committee that this bill expressly delegates
authority to the Building and Procurement Commission to adopt rules to
administer the travel services program in Section 1 of the bill. 


ANALYSIS

SECTION 1 - Amends Section 2171.055, Government Code by adding Subsection
(f) which allows municipal officers or employees to utilize the
commission's contract for reduced airline and travel agent fees when
traveling on official municipal business.  The commission may charge a
municipality an adjustable fee that does not exceed the commission's cost.
Directs the commission to deposit fees to a municipality airline fares
account in the general revenue fund, but makes those funds only useable
for purposes of this chapter.  Directs the commission to adopt rules and
make or amend contracts as necessary.   

SECTION 2 - Effective date.


EFFECTIVE DATE

This act has immediate effect if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all
members elected to each house. If this Act does not receive the vote
necessary for immediate effect, it takes effect September 1, 2003.