BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 656

80R3604 TAD-F                                                                                                               By: Seliger

Government Organization

3/7/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, state law does not provide a general grant of authority to all state agencies and entities to accept gifts or grants of money, services, or property for a purpose related to that agency's duties.  However, many state agencies have been given such authority through specific legislative acts.  The Department of Information Resources (DIR) was offered assistance from private companies during the response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but DIR did not have statutory permission to accept such assistance.

As proposed, S.B. 656 authorizes DIR to accept or refuse gifts or grants for a purpose related to the agency's duties.

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 2054.052, Government Code, by adding Subsection (g), as follows:

(g)  Authorizes the Department of Information Resources to accept or refuse a gift or grant of money, services, or property on behalf of the state for any public purpose related to the duties of the department.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2007.