HBA-DMD S.B. 495 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 495 By: Truan State, Federal, & International Relations 4/25/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Office of Defense Affairs (office) and the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission (commission) were established by the 75th Legislature to develop long-term strategies to prepare for base realignment and closures, to develop information relating to federal actions that would affect defense-dependent communities, and to develop proactive recommendations to enhance the survivability and economic health of the defense community. S.B. 495 requires the Texas Department of Economic Development (department) to appoint a director to manage the office. This bill requires the office to serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to operating costs and the loss of jobs in defense-dependent communities and defense-related businesses. It requires the office to assist defense-dependent communities to recruit and retain defense-related businesses. S.B. 495 requires the office to prepare an annual report about the active military installations, defense-dependent communities, and defense-related businesses in this state. This bill also authorizes the office to enter into an agreement with a consulting firm to provide information and assistance on a pending decision of the Department of Defense or other federal agency regarding military installations. It requires the commission to make recommendations for enhancing a community's relationship with military installations. 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 481.0065, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 481.0065. OFFICE OF DEFENSE AFFAIRS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development (department) to appoint a director to manage the Office of Defense Affairs (office). (b) Requires the office to provide information to defense-dependent communities, the legislature, the Texas congressional delegation, and state agencies regarding federal actions affecting military installations and missions. Requires the office to serve as a clearinghouse for information about issues related to the operating costs and strategic value of federal military installations located in the state, and the loss of jobs in defensedependent communities and defense-related businesses. Requires the office to assist defense-dependent communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses. Requires the office to assist communities in the retention and recruiting of defense-related businesses. Deletes the requirement of the office to conduct a statewide assessment of active military installations to assist defense dependent communities develop long term strategies for future base realignments and closures. Makes conforming changes. (c) Requires the office to prepare an annual report about the active military installations, defense-dependent communities, and defense-related businesses in this state. Specifies provisions that the report must include. Deletes the provision authorizing the department to enter into an agreement with a private contractor to perform the statewide assessment. (d) Requires state agencies to cooperate with and assist the office in the preparation of the report required under Subsection (c) including providing information about regulations, policies, programs, and services that may impact defense-dependent communities, defense-related businesses, and the viability of existing Texas military missions. Requires the office to submit its report to the governor and the legislature no later than July 1 of each year. (e) Requires the office to coordinate an annual meeting with the head of each state agency, members of the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission (commission), and members of the legislature whose districts contain active, closed, or realigned military installations to discuss the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report required under Subsection (c). (f) Authorizes the office to enter into an agreement with a consulting firm to provide information and assistance on a pending decision of the United States Department of Defense or other federal agency regarding the status of military installations and defense-related businesses located in this state. (g) Defines "state agency." SECTION 2. Amends Sections 481.0066(g) and (h), Government Code, as follows: (g) Sets forth that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), rather than Article 6252-33 (Repealed), V.T.C.S., does not apply to the commission. (h) Requires the commission to make recommendations regarding the development of methods to assist defense-dependent communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses, and the compilation of information for use in the report required under Section 481.0065(c), rather than a quarterly economic impact statement prepared by the department detailing the effect of the military on the economy of this state. Deletes the provision requiring the commission to make recommendations regarding the development of a contingency plan to support and promote the military in connection with the possible reduction, closure, or conversion of federal military bases in this state. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.