BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 470

80R1737 MTB-D                                                                                                              By: Brimer

Government Organization

3/6/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, state agencies report financial information (including expenditures) utilizing the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS).  While the format for agency data is standardized at the USAS-level, it is not standardized for more detailed reporting because agencies utilize different internal financial systems. 

As proposed, S.B. 470 authorizes the comptroller of public accounts to design a new data collection system that will allow all agency financial data to be collected and reported in a uniform structure.  Such a change will enable true comparisons of agency expenditures.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2101.012(a), Government Code, to authorize the uniform accounting and financial reporting procedures to include procedures that prescribe a uniform format for and a uniform method of reporting the financial information included in the annual financial report.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2101.035, Government Code, by adding Subsection (h) to require state agencies to report expenditures in the uniform manner required by the comptroller of public accounts.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.