By: Nelson  S.B. No. 588
         (In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2007; February 26, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Government
  Organization; April 3, 2007, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; April 3, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the authority of the comptroller of public accounts to
  perform administrative, economic, fiscal, or policy research or
  analysis regarding certain issues and to assist political
  subdivisions with related research or analysis.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 403, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 403.022 to read as follows:
         Sec. 403.022.  ADMINISTRATIVE, ECONOMIC, FISCAL, OR POLICY
  RESEARCH OR ANALYSIS. (a)  At the request of the governor,
  lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, or
  chair of a standing committee of the legislature, or on the
  comptroller's own initiative, the comptroller may:
               (1)  perform administrative, economic, fiscal, or
  policy research or analysis regarding issues of concern to the
  state or to political subdivisions of the state, including policy
  issues, emerging issues, and issues related to:
                     (A)  economic and financial impact forecasting;
                     (B)  expenditure analysis and other data
  analysis;
                     (C)  interstate comparisons; and
                     (D)  future trends and projections; or
               (2)  assist a political subdivision of the state with
  administrative, economic, fiscal, or policy research or analysis
  regarding an issue described by Subdivision (1).
         (b)  The comptroller may prepare and distribute reports on
  any issue researched or analyzed under Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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