80R18544 CAE-D

By: Brimer S.B. No. 903

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 903:

By: Raymond C.S.S.B. No. 903

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the continuation and functions of the Office of State-Federal Relations and the administrative attachment of that agency to the office of the governor.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 751.002(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The Office of State-Federal Relations is an agency of the state and operates within the executive department. The office is administratively attached to the office of the governor. The governor's office shall provide human resources and other administrative support for the office. The office is funded by appropriations made to the office of the governor.

SECTION 2. Section 751.003, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 751.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The Office of State-Federal Relations is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the office is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2013 [2007].

SECTION 3. The heading to Section 751.005, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 751.005. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICE [DIRECTOR].

SECTION 4. Section 751.005(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The director shall:

(1) help coordinate state and federal programs dealing with the same subject;

(2) inform the governor and the legislature of federal programs that may be carried out in the state or that affect state programs;

(3) provide federal agencies and the United States Congress with information about state policy and state conditions on matters that concern the federal government;

(4) provide the legislature with information useful in measuring the effect of federal actions on the state and local programs;

(5) prepare and supply to the governor and all members of the legislature an annual report that:

(A) describes the office's operations;

(B) contains the office's priorities and strategies for the following year;

(C) details projects and legislation pursued by the office;

(D) discusses issues in the following congressional session of interest to this state; [and]

(E) contains an analysis of federal funds availability and formulae; and

(F) evaluates the performance of the office based on performance measures developed by the board;

(6) prepare annually a complete and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and disbursed by the office during the preceding fiscal year;

(7) notify the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives of federal activities relevant to the state and inform the Texas congressional delegation of state activities;

(8) conduct frequent conference calls with the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives or their designees regarding state-federal relations and programs;

(9) respond to requests for information from the legislature, the United States Congress, and federal agencies; and

(10) coordinate with the Legislative Budget Board regarding the effects of federal funding on the state budget.

SECTION 5. Section 751.006(g), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(g) The director and the staff of the office working in Washington, D.C., may receive a [the same] cost-of-living salary adjustment [as is established for an employee of another state agency under Section 751.012(d)].

SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 751, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 751.015 and 751.016 to read as follows:

Sec. 751.015. CONTRACTS BETWEEN OFFICE AND CONSULTANTS PROHIBITED. The office may not contract with federal-level government relations consultants.

Sec. 751.016. CONTRACTS BY STATE AGENCIES OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. (a) In this section, "political subdivision" includes a river authority.

(b) An agency or political subdivision of the state shall report to the office on any contract between the agency or subdivision and a federal-level government relations consultant. A state agency or political subdivision shall submit one report under this section not later than the 30th day after the date the contract is executed and a second report not later than the 30th day after the date the contract is terminated. The report must include:

(1) the name of the consultant or consulting firm;

(2) the issue on which the consultant was hired to consult; and

(3) the amount of compensation paid or to be paid to the consultant under the contract.

(b-1) A state agency or political subdivision contracting with a federal-level government relations consultant before September 1, 2007, shall, if the contract has not terminated before that date, submit a report as required by Subsection (b) not later than September 30, 2007. This subsection expires September 1, 2008.

(c) If a state agency contracts with a federal-level government relations consultant and the consultant subcontracts the work to another firm or individual, the state agency shall report the subcontract to the office.

(d) The office shall post the information reported to the office under this section on the Internet website maintained by the office.

SECTION 7. The following provisions of the Government Code are repealed:

(1) Sections 751.006(b), (c), (d), (e), and (f);

(2) Sections 751.012(b), (e), and (f); and

(3) Sections 751.013, 751.014, and 751.024.

SECTION 8. The Office of State-Federal Relations and the office of the governor shall establish a plan for the administrative attachment of the Office of State-Federal Relations to the office of the governor.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.