Bill

HB 1743

84(R) - 2015
House Government Transparency & Operation
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
House Government Transparency & Operation
Fiscal transparency
Transparency

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Rick Galindo

Co-Author(s)

Rodney Anderson
DeWayne Burns
Gary Elkins
Eric Johnson
Mark Keough
Brooks Landgraf
Oscar Longoria
Will Metcalf
Morgan Meyer
Rick Miller
Scott Sanford
John Wray
Bill Zedler

Bill Caption

Relating to the use of a credit or charge card by certain state agencies to make certain purchases.

Fiscal Notes

The CPA reports that there would be no cost to implement the provisions of the bill. It is estimated that some agencies would incur additional costs to comply with the provisions of this bill. The costs to agencies will depend on determinations made by CPA to implement these provisions but the total statewide cost is not expected to be significant. 

Bill Analysis

HB 1743 would allow the comptroller to adopt rules requiring that a state agency in the executive branch of state government to use a credit or charge card to pay for all purchases unless the comptroller determines that another method of payment is more advantageous to the state and prohibit an employee of a state agency in the executive branch of state government from using a personal credit or charge card to pay for the state agency ’s purchases. This wouldn't apply to institutions of higher education, the Health and Human Services Commission or select subsidiary agencies, or the office of the Governor. 

Each health and human services commission shall implement policies that encourage participation in the comptroller's credit/charge card program for payment of travel services.

The comptroller would also need to adopt rules for the effective and efficient administration of this chapter and the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

The use of credit or charge cards by state agencies would promote increased government transparency, especially in tracking traveling expenses. The only concern regarding rules for these credit or charge cards would be whether agencies would be allowed to carry a balance which would pass interest payments onto the taxpayers. We support this legislation.