BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1067

By: Brown

Government Efficiency & Reform

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The state's current budgetary constraints require every effort possible to cut extraneous costs, look for new revenue sources, and promote greater agency efficiency. The purchase of computer hardware is a significant cost to the state and, in turn, to taxpayers. 

H.B. 1067 reduces needless expenditure of tax dollars by placing a four-year waiting period on the purchase of replacement laptops, desktops, tower computer systems, or other personal computers. The bill restricts excessive spending to replace equipment that is not so outdated as to be no longer useful in carrying out a state agency's functions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the comptroller of public accounts in SECTIONS 1 and 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1067 amends the Government Code to prohibit a state agency from purchasing a new personal computer to replace an existing personal computer of the agency before the fourth anniversary of the date the existing personal computer was purchased.  The bill creates an exception to the prohibition for a state agency that determines such a purchase is to be made under emergency circumstances as established by the comptroller of public accounts.  The bill requires the comptroller to adopt rules, not later than March 1, 2012, establishing circumstances under which a state agency is authorized to make such an emergency purchase. The bill makes  its provisions applicable to a purchase made on or after August 1, 2012. 

H.B. 1067 defines "personal computer" and provides for the meaning of "state agency" by excluding from that meaning an institution of higher education as the term is defined by the Education Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.