Bill Text: TX HB3770 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of the Texas First Center to study and provide advice to the legislature on the effective use of state resources.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-03 - Left pending in committee [HB3770 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB3770-Introduced.html
  85R13130 CJC-F
 
  By: Cook H.B. No. 3770
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Texas First Center to study and
  provide advice to the legislature on the effective use of state
  resources.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 2061 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 2061. TEXAS FIRST CENTER
         Sec. 2061.0001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Board" means the Texas First Center Board.
               (2)  "Center" means the Texas First Center.
               (3)  "State agency" means a department, commission,
  board, office, or other agency in the executive or judicial branch
  of state government that is created under the constitution or a
  statute of this state. The term includes an institution of higher
  education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
         Sec. 2061.0002.  TEXAS FIRST CENTER. (a) The Texas First
  Center is created as an independent policy center for the primary
  purpose of advising this state's legislature.
         (b)  The center shall represent the interests of the
  residents of this state by studying the effect of resource
  allocation on the performance of state agencies and other public
  institutions using applicable state and national data.
         (c)  In performing the duties assigned by this chapter, the
  center shall work directly with:
               (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
  house of representatives, and members of the legislature; and
               (2)  state agencies and other public institutions.
         Sec. 2061.0003.  CENTER DUTIES. (a) The center shall use
  analytics standards used by business, finance, public policy, and
  other interests considered appropriate by the center to determine
  the relationship between resource allocation and performance
  outcomes of state agencies and other public institutions.
         (b)  The center shall develop a schedule so that each year
  the center evaluates the performance of selected state agencies and
  other public institutions and provides a progress report on those
  agencies and institutions to:
               (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
  the house of representatives; and
               (2)  responsible parties at each agency or institution
  being evaluated.
         (c)  The center may assist the legislature with policy
  studies related to the center's duties. The center may participate
  in collaborative studies with a foundation or organization inside
  or outside this state related to the center's duties.
         (d)  The center shall seek information, data, and best
  practices from state, regional, and national sources to use in
  performing the center's duties under this chapter.
         (e)  The center may contract with independent experts,
  academic scholars, and other appropriate professionals in
  performing the center's duties under this chapter.
         Sec. 2061.0004.  TEXAS FIRST CENTER BOARD.  (a)  The Texas
  First Center Board is created as the primary policy-making body of
  the center.
         (b)  The board is composed of three members appointed by the
  governor.
         (c)  Board members must include individuals in the private
  sector who have an interest in improving the performance of state
  agencies and other public institutions and significant experience
  in organizational management, finance, or business. A board member
  may not have a financial relationship with a vendor who provides
  goods or services to an agency or institution of this state.
         (d)  Board members serve four-year terms.
         (e)  Board members shall annually elect one member as the
  presiding officer.
         (f)  A board member may not receive a salary for services as a
  board member but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in
  attending board meetings.
         Sec. 2061.0005.  BOARD DUTIES. (a)  In addition to the
  evaluation and report required under Section 2061.0003(b), the
  board shall study effective and efficient systems for the operation
  of state agencies and other public institutions and make
  recommendations to:
               (1)  improve the performance of agencies and
  institutions to meet the demands of the current century;
               (2)  improve this state's ability to compete with other
  states and countries; and
               (3)  provide the legislature and the public with
  information on the performance of agencies and institutions.
         (b)  The board shall provide a report of the board's study
  and recommendations under Subsection (a) to:
               (1)  the Legislative Budget Board at least once each
  year; and
               (2)  the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
  the house of representatives not later than December 1 of each
  even-numbered year.
         Sec. 2061.0006.  SUPPORT FOR PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. (a)  
  State agencies and other public institutions shall fully cooperate
  with and assist the center at the board's request.
         (b)  Data and information necessary to perform the center's
  duties under this chapter shall be provided at the board's request
  in a timely manner.  The board and center shall maintain
  confidentiality and other security measures for any requested data
  and information.
         Sec. 2061.0007.  FUNDING. The center may be funded by
  donations, grants, and legislative appropriations.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor shall appoint the initial members of the
  Texas First Center Board under Section 2061.0004, Government Code,
  as added by this Act, to serve terms beginning January 1, 2018.
         SECTION 3.  The first reports required under Sections
  2061.0003(b) and 2061.0005(b)(1), Government Code, as added by this
  Act, are due not later than December 1, 2018.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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