HBA-SEB H.B. 2960 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2960
By: Jones, Delwin
Energy Resources
3/19/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1992, the Texas Legislature authorized institutions of higher education
to enter into contracts for energy conservation measures in order to reduce
energy consumption and operating costs at higher education facilities.
H.B. 2960 removes certain mandates from the contracting process for energy
conservation measures concerning an institution of higher education.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 51.927(h), Education Code, to require the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), with regard to energy
conservation matters, to establish guidelines and an approval process for
contracts awarded under this section (Energy Conservation Measures) in
consultation  with the State Energy Conservation Office (office) and the
Texas Higher Energy Coordination Council (council).  Deletes existing text
requiring the council and office to review a selected proposal before a
contract is awarded.  Deletes existing text authorizing the office to
provide a cost-benefit analysis of the proposals. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.