BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 74

By: Nelson

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law only allows public universities to donate surplus or salvage computers and data processing equipment to public schools and assistance organizations, but not to hospitals.  Rural hospitals often lack the computer equipment and resources needed to use health information technology to increase the quality of care.  S.B. 74 allows public institutions of higher education to donate surplus and salvage computer processing equipment to rural hospitals. 

As proposed, S.B. 74 amends current law relating to the disposition of surplus or salvage data processing equipment of a university system or an institution or agency of higher education.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2175.304, Government Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:

(e) Authorizes a university system or institution or agency of higher education included within the definition of "state agency" under Section 2151.002 (Definition), notwithstanding Subsections (b) (relating to the written procedures for the disposition of surplus or salvage property) and (c) (relating to giving preference to transferring surplus or salvage property), to donate data processing equipment that is surplus or salvage property to a public or private hospital located in a rural county.  Defines "rural county" for the purposes of this subsection.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.