BILL ANALYSIS
By: Swinford
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
State law commonly allows state agencies and entities to accept gifts or grants of money, services or property for a purpose related to that agency’s duties. During Texas’ response following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, private companies offered the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) assistance. For example, Microsoft offered to provide software for a central system for use by evacuees to locate loved ones displaced in the disasters, but DIR was not able to accept the assistance without statutory permission.
While an acceptable system was put in place, its use would have been better coordinated if DIR could have accepted and managed that system on behalf of the state and affected local governments. House Bill 674 would allow the DIR to accept or refuse gifts or grants for a purpose related to DIR’s duties.
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
House Bill 674 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Department of Information Resources to accept and refuse gifts or grants of money, services, or property on behalf of the state for any public purpose related to the duties of the department.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.