BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 696
81R5943 EAH-D By: Ellis
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
More than 5,500 parking spaces in state-owned facilities remain unused in the Austin area on a daily basis, costing the state directly in maintenance and management expenses and indirectly in potential lost revenue from maximization of the assets. During 2007, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) spent $1 million on operations and utility expenses for state parking facilities.
As proposed, S.B. 696 authorizes TFC to lease to a private individual an unused individual space in a state-owned parking lot or parking garage. S.B. 696 authorizes TFC to lease to an institution of higher education, a private business, or a local government all or a significant block of a state-owned parking lot or garage. S.B. 696 also requires that the revenue generated from a lease be appropriated to the Toward Excellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) grant program.
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 the heading to Section 2165.2035, Government Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 2165.2035. LEASE OF SPACE IN STATE-OWNED PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES; USE AFTER HOURS.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 2165, Government Code, by adding Sections 2165.204 and 2165.2045, as follows:
Sec. 2165.204. LEASE OF SPACE IN STATE-OWNED PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES; EXCESS INDIVIDUAL PARKING SPACES. (a) Authorizes the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) to lease to a private individual an individual parking space in a state-owned parking lot or garage located in the city of Austin that TFC determines is not needed to accommodate the regular parking requirements of state employees who work near the lot or garage and visitors to nearby state government offices.
(b) Authorizes TFC to contract with a private vendor to manage leases under Subsection (a).
(c) Requires that money received from a lease under this section be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund and be appropriated only to fund the TEXAS grant program administered under Subchapter M (Toward Excellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) Grant Program), Chapter 56 (Student Financial Assistance), Education Code.
(d) Requires TFC, on or before December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a report to the legislature and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) describing the effectiveness of the program under this section.
Sec. 2165.2045. LEASE OF SPACE IN STATE-OWNED PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES; EXCESS BLOCKS OF PARKING SPACE. (a) Authorizes TFC to lease to an institution of higher education, a private business, or a local government all or a significant block of a state-owned parking lot or garage located in the city of Austin that TFC determines is not needed to accommodate the regular parking requirements of state employees who work near the lot or garage and visitors to nearby state government offices.
(b) Authorizes TFC to contract with a private vendor to manage a lease under Subsection (a).
(c) Requires that money received from a lease under this section be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund and be appropriated only to fund the TEXAS grant program administered under Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code.
(d) Requires TFC, on or before December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a report to the legislature and LBB describing the effectiveness of the program under this section.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.