BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1597
88R10642 LRM-F	By: Hancock
	Business & Commerce
	4/14/2023
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Office of Vehicle Fleet Management (OVFM) is housed at the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas and is charged with preparing the Fleet Management Plan with recommendations to improve the administration and management of the state's fleet.

 

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS), the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and the former Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation are statutorily required to assist the OVFM in preparing the State Fleet Management Plan.

 

H.B. 3388 from the 87th Legislature exempted state agencies with fleets of more than 2,500 vehicles from the requirement to use the OVFM reporting system. This change in law has allowed TxDOT, DPS, TPWD, and TDCJ to maintain their own reporting systems.

 

S.B. 1597 repeals the statute that includes the state agencies that are now exempt from participating in the Texas Fleet System to give the OVFM flexibility to work with participating agencies to develop the required management plan.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1597 amends current law relating to the office of vehicle fleet management's plan for the state's vehicle fleet.

 

[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TXMHMR), the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services and the Department of Aging and Disability Services as the successor agencies to TXMHMR.]

 

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. Repealer: Section 2171.104(b) (relating to requiring the Texas Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to assist the office of vehicle fleet management in preparing the management plan for the state's vehicle fleet), Government Code.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.