Bill

SB 2004

84(R) - 2015
Senate Finance
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Finance
Appropriations

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Kevin Eltife

Co-Author(s)

Jane Nelson

Bill Caption

Relating to deferred maintenance for state facilities.

Fiscal Notes

A fiscal note dated March 25, 2015 anticipates no significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government from Senate Bill 2004 as filed.

It adds that the bill makes no appropriations but establishes the basis for future appropriations. Since those future appropriations are unknown, the fiscal impact cannot be estimated.

Bill Analysis

Senate Bill 2004 would create a Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities composed of 6 members, 3 members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and 3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House. The joint committee would review deferred maintenance plans for state-owned facilities and receive implementation updates . The committee would be abolished on January 8, 2019.

Senate Bill 2004 would also create a deferred maintenance fund in the general revenue fund that would consist of money appropriated by the Legislature.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Senate Bill 2004 sets the goal of reviewing deferred maintenance plans and making it a priority to tackle the maintenance of state agencies most in need of long-delayed maintenance. It is important that state agencies remain a healthy and safe work environment for state employees. Not delaying repairs and maintenance until it is nearly too late also has the potential of ultimately saving taxpayer money. As a consequence, Senate Bill 2004 would create a joint oversight committee to report to the legislature on deferred maintenance plans, and expenditures made from a fund created by Senate Bill 2004 for deferred maintenance.

The new fund would be created as an account in the general revenue fund and money would be appropriated through the normal appropriation process, but the fund would aim at making sure that some of the money currently appropriated to the Texas Facilities Commission is going to fund maintenance of state agencies most in need of long-delayed maintenance.

Part of the role of the Texas Facilities Commission is already to take care of state-owned facilities and to provide facilities management services, with an item of appropriations in the State Budget devoted to property management. The Facilities Commission should prioritize maintenance needs by possibly targeting deferred maintenance first when using appropriations made especially for Property Management. Nevertheless, because Senate Bill 2004 would not require new appropriations, we will remain neutral on this bill.