Bill Caption

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Facilities Commission; authorizing fees.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB211, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($95,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The estimated total cost for the State Preservation Board (SPB) to comply with the provisions of the bill would be $57,500 in General Revenue in fiscal year 2014; $37,500 in General Revenue in fiscal year 2015; and $45,000 in subsequent fiscal years. Not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact on local governments.

Bill Analysis

 

Summary: This legislation would continue the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) until 2021. This bill would require the adoption of a Capitol complex master plan to help with future decision making on future developments. This bill would transfer certain services relating to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Texas School for the Deaf and the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice. This bill adopts many housekeeping recommendations from the Sunset Advisory Commission’s report, relating to the General Land Office, and the Capitol Complex.

Analysis: The TFC oversees public real-estate management and state facilities management. The TFC oversees state facility design and construction and assesses potential cost savings for future projects. This would also clean up certain conflict of interest project assessments and eligibility requirements for contract negotiations. Costs associated with assuming certain school projects account for the Negative fiscal note. The TFC performs a necessary function of state government and should not be allowed to sunset. However, this legislation neither uplifts nor offends our liberty principles so we are neutral on SB 211.