BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 3227

79R10808 MXM-F                                                                                          By: Swinford (Lucio)

Government Organization

5/5/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 3125, passed during the 76th Legislature, directed the Office of Vehicle Fleet Management, under the guidance of the State Council on Competitive Government, to adopt a statewide fleet management plan to improve the administration and operation of the state's vehicle fleet.  However, many of the plan components that address the size and use of the state's fleet, agency reporting requirements, and approved fleet management procedures are burdensome to institutions of higher education due to the nature of campus-based vehicles.

H.B. 3227 alleviates some of the burdens of these requirements, while still allowing the appropriate information required by law to be reported and available for evaluation.  H.B. 3227 also grants all state agencies and institutions of higher education additional time to report the necessary data required by the Office of Vehicle Fleet Management.  This modification of reporting will provide administrative flexibility; however, the State will still be able to capture all key data necessary to show the use and maintenance of all vehicles.

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 Section 2171.101(a), Government Code, to require a state agency to be required to submit the reports required under this section on a quarterly, rather than monthly, basis, not earlier than the 45th day or later than the 60th day after the date on which the quarter ends.

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 2171, Government Code, by adding Section 2171.105, as follows:

Sec. 2171.105.  MANAGEMENT PLAN:  INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.  Defines "institution of higher education" and "plan."  Provides that, for institutions of higher education, the plan applies only to vehicles purchased by an institution of higher education with appropriated money.  Authorizes the office of vehicle fleet management, on the request of a fleet manager appointed by an institution of higher education, to grant a waiver from any limit on the number of vehicles subject to the plan that the institution may own.  Provides that any minimum use criteria developed in the plan do not apply to an institution of higher education.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.