Bill Text: TX HB297 | 2017 | 85th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of the Joint Committee to Review the Sunset Advisory Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-07-25 - Referred to State Affairs [HB297 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB297-Introduced.html
  85S10993 MTB-D
 
  By: Phillips H.B. No. 297
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Joint Committee to Review the Sunset
  Advisory Commission.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 3, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 327 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 327. JOINT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE SUNSET ADVISORY
  COMMISSION
         Sec. 327.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Committee" means the Joint Committee to Review
  the Sunset Advisory Commission.
               (2)  "Executive head of a state agency" means the
  director, executive director, commissioner, administrator, chief
  clerk, or other individual who is appointed by the governing body or
  highest officer of the state agency to act as the chief executive or
  administrative officer of the agency.
         Sec. 327.002.  JOINT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE SUNSET ADVISORY
  COMMISSION. (a) The Joint Committee to Review the Sunset Advisory
  Commission consists of:
               (1)  three members of the senate and one public member
  appointed by the lieutenant governor;
               (2)  three members of the house of representatives and
  one public member appointed by the speaker of the house; and
               (3)  two executive heads of state agencies and one
  public member appointed by the governor.
         (b)  The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house may
  serve as one of the legislative appointees.
         (c)  A public member of the committee may not concurrently be
  serving as a member of the Sunset Advisory Commission.
         (d)  Not more than one legislative member of the committee
  from each house may concurrently be serving as a member of the
  Sunset Advisory Commission.
         (e)  If a vacancy occurs, the appropriate appointing
  authority shall appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the
  unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
         (f)  The lieutenant governor shall designate one of the
  committee members appointed by the lieutenant governor to serve as
  joint chair of the committee. The speaker of the house of
  representatives shall designate one of the committee members
  appointed by the speaker to serve as joint chair of the committee.
         (g)  Each member of the committee is entitled to
  reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
  performing committee duties. Each legislative member is entitled to
  reimbursement from the appropriate fund of the member's respective
  house. Each public member and committee member appointed by the
  governor is entitled to reimbursement from funds appropriated to
  the committee.
         Sec. 327.003.  STAFF.  The committee shall employ persons
  necessary to carry out this chapter through funds made available by
  the legislature.
         Sec. 327.004.  COMMITTEE DUTIES. Before December 1, 2018,
  the committee shall consider whether a public need exists for the
  continuation of the Sunset Advisory Commission.  In making the
  determination, the committee shall consider:
               (1)  the efficiency and effectiveness with which the
  commission operates, including the cost of maintaining the
  commission and its staff as well as any savings realized by the work
  of the commission;
               (2)  the mission and goals intended for the commission
  and the problem or need that the commission was intended to address;
               (3)  the extent to which the commission's mission and
  goals have been achieved and the problem or need has been addressed;
               (4)  the commission's activities that are authorized by
  statute and any other commission activity and authority for those
  activities and the extent to which those activities are needed;
               (5)  whether less restrictive or alternative methods of
  performing any function that the commission performs could
  adequately protect or provide service to the public; and
               (6)  an assessment of the commission's rulemaking
  processes, including the extent to which the commission has
  encouraged participation by the public in making its decisions and
  the extent to which public participation has resulted in rules that
  benefit the public.
         Sec. 327.005.  REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. (a) Not later than
  December 1, 2018, the committee shall report its findings to the
  legislature.
         (b)  In its report to the legislature, the committee shall
  make recommendations:
               (1)  on the abolishment, continuation, or
  reorganization of the Sunset Advisory Commission and on the need
  for the performance of the functions of the commission; and
               (2)  to improve the operations of the Sunset Advisory
  Commission and its governing body, including management
  recommendations that do not require a change in the commission's
  enabling statute.
         (c)  The committee shall include the estimated fiscal impact
  of its recommendations and may recommend appropriation levels for
  the Sunset Advisory Commission.
         Sec. 327.006.  SUBPOENA POWER. (a) The committee may issue
  process to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of
  books, records, papers, and other objects necessary or proper for
  the purposes of the committee proceedings. The process may be
  served on a witness at any place in this state.
         (b)  If a majority of the committee directs the issuance of a
  subpoena, a joint chair shall issue the subpoena in the name of the
  committee.
         (c)  If both joint chairs are absent, a designee of one of the
  joint chairs may issue a subpoena or other process in the same
  manner as the joint chair.
         (d)  If necessary to obtain compliance with a subpoena or
  other process, the committee may issue attachments. The
  attachments may be addressed to and served by any peace officer in
  this state.
         (e)  Testimony taken under subpoena must be reduced to
  writing and given under oath subject to the penalties of perjury.
         (f)  A witness who attends a committee proceeding under
  process is entitled to the same mileage and per diem as a witness
  who appears before a grand jury in this state.
         Sec. 327.007.  ASSISTANCE OF AND ACCESS TO STATE AGENCIES.
  (a) The committee may request the assistance of state agencies and
  officers. When assistance is requested, a state agency or officer
  shall assist the committee.
         (b)  In carrying out its functions under this chapter, the
  committee or its designated staff member may inspect the records,
  documents, and files of any state agency.
         Sec. 327.008.  RECORDS PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE. (a) A
  working paper, including all documentary or other information,
  prepared or maintained by the committee staff in performing its
  duties under this chapter or other law to conduct an evaluation and
  prepare a report is excepted from the public disclosure
  requirements of Section 552.021.
         (b)  A record held by another entity that is considered to be
  confidential by law and that the committee receives in connection
  with the performance of the committee's functions under this
  chapter or another law remains confidential and is excepted from
  the public disclosure requirements of Section 552.021.
         Sec. 327.009.  EXPIRATION. This chapter expires January 1,
  2019.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect December 1, 2017.
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