Bill

HB 3439

84(R) - 2015
House State Affairs
House State Affairs
State Agencies

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Debbie Riddle

Bill Caption

Relating to the donation of property from a state agency to an assistance organization or a local governmental entity.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 3439 would amend sections of Chapter 2175 (Surplus and Salvage Property) of the Government Code. Specifically, this legislation would allow state agencies to donate property to a local government entity. An agency could do this if the property being donated has no resale value or the donation “will sufficiently benefit” the state.    

Additionally, this legislation would allow the agency donating the property to charge an amount to cover the costs associated with the donation. This charge may not exceed 10 percent of the property’s value. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

We oppose HB 3439 because the criterion “that the state will sufficiently benefit from donating the property” could be open for interpretation, which could lead to the potential misuse of state property and the granting of favors to special interests within local government entities. The broad language in this bill has us opposing it on limited government grounds.