BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2686

By: Guillen

Appropriations

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that the current method by which the state purchases vehicles for state use may not be the most cost-effective and that a comprehensive study is needed to understand the full range of options and potential cost savings available to the state. C.S.H.B. 2686 seeks to provide for such a study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 2686 amends the Government Code to require the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of vehicle fleet management and develop recommendations for improving vehicle fleet management based on that evaluation. The bill requires the study to include an evaluation of the vehicle fleets of the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Health and Human Services Commission, public institutions of higher education, and any other state agency within the purview of the office of vehicle fleet management.

C.S.H.B. 2686 requires the institute, not later than August 31, 2018, to submit a written report of the study to the comptroller of public accounts, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. The bill requires the office of vehicle fleet management, not later than September 1, 2019, to incorporate the recommendations developed in the study in the office's required management plan. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2686 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2171, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2171.1041 to read as follows: Sec. 2171.1041. VEHICLE FLEET MANAGEMENT STUDY. (a) The Texas A&M Transportation Institute shall conduct a study to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of vehicle fleet management, including: (a) vehicle acquisition methods; and (b) interagency agreements to operate vehicle fleet maintenance shops; (2) develop recommendations for improving vehicle fleet management, including: (a) vehicle acquisition methods; and (b) interagency agreements to operate vehicle fleet maintenance shops; (b) The study conducted under Subsection (a) must include an evaluation of the vehicle fleet of: (1) the Department of Public Safety; (2) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; (3) the Parks and Wildlife Department; (4) institutions of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and (5) any other state agency within the purview of the office of vehicle fleet management. (c) Not later than August 31, 2018, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute shall submit a written report of the study to the comptroller, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. (d) Not later than September 1, 2019, the office of vehicle fleet management shall incorporate the recommendations developed under Subsection (a) in the management plan described by Section 2171.1041. (e) This section expires September 1, 2020.	SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2171, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2171.1041 to read as follows: Sec. 2171.1041. VEHICLE FLEET MANAGEMENT STUDY. (a) The Texas A&M Transportation Institute shall conduct a study to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of vehicle fleet management, including: (A) vehicle acquisition methods; and (B) interagency agreements to operate vehicle fleet maintenance shops; and (2) develop recommendations for improving vehicle fleet management based on the evaluation under Subdivision (1). (b) The study conducted under Subsection (a) must include an evaluation of the vehicle fleets of: (1) the Department of Public Safety; (2) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; (3) the Parks and Wildlife Department; (4) the Health and Human Services Commission; (5) institutions of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and (6) any other state agency within the purview of the office of vehicle fleet management. (c) Not later than August 31, 2018, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute shall submit a written report of the study to the comptroller, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. (d) Not later than September 1, 2019, the office of vehicle fleet management shall incorporate the recommendations developed under Subsection (a) in the management plan described by Section 2171.104. (e) This section expires September 1, 2020.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.