SRC-LBB S.B. 996 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 996 78R4443 JJT-DBy: Williams Business & Commerce 3/21/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, financial institutions are required to pledge collateral in the form of acceptable investment securities. State funds are not comparable to local government funds with regard to collateral requirements. Utilizing letters of credit issued by an agency or instrumentality of the federal government will assure the public depositing entity of the safety of its funds and give the financial institution additional flexibility in managing its balance sheet. As proposed, S.B. 996 provides that a letter of credit is eligible as collateral to be pledged with the comptroller to secure state deposits. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 404.0221(b) and (d), Government Code, as follows: (b) Includes letters of credit in the list of collateral eligible to be pledged with the comptroller to secure state deposits. (d) Provides that eligible collateral includes only a security with fixed, stated rates or a letter of credit described by Subsection (b)(2) for a stated amount. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.