HBA-SEP S.B. 304 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 304
By: Lucio
State Affairs
4/3/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The State Aircraft Pooling Board (board) was created to operate a pool for
aircraft owned or leased by the state.  Its mission is to provide air
transportation services to state officials and employees traveling on
official state business and to provide certain ground services for those
aircraft.  The board is subject to the Texas Sunset Act and is scheduled to
be abolished on September 1, 2001 unless continued by the legislature.  The
Sunset Advisory Commission has recommended the continuation of the board
and several statutory modifications.  Senate Bill 304 continues the board
for 12 years, and requires the board to develop a long-range plan for fleet
management needs and to maintain a website to provide current travelrelated
information.  

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 304 amends the Government Code to continue the State Aircraft
Pooling Board (board) until September 1, 2013 and to set forth standard
Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations regarding the maintaining of
written complaints filed with the board.  The bill requires the executive
director to provide board employees information and training on the
benefits and methods of participation in the State Employee Incentive
Program.   

The bill requires the board, as part of the board's strategic plan, to
develop a long-range plan for its pool of aircraft and include appropriate
portions of the plan in its legislative appropriations request.  The bill
also requires the board to consider certain criteria for each aircraft in
the pool and to estimate future aircraft replacement needs and other fleet
management needs.   

The bill requires the board to post travel-related information and other
services provided by the board on a generally accessible Internet site
maintained by or for the board. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.