HBA-CCH, KDB H.B. 1436 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1436
By: Capelo
County Affairs
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Uniformity in accounting systems and financial reporting is a long-standing
government goal. The Government Accounting Standards Board has set forth
guidelines that will require many cities and counties to completely
overhaul their accounting systems. Currently, each  Texas county uses its
own accounting system.  Until all counties report their finances using the
same method, the state cannot make useful comparisons or create benchmarks
for measuring the success of a particular program.  House Bill 1436
requires the comptroller to adopt a uniform chart of accounts for all Texas
counties. 

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

House Bill 1436 amends the Local Government Code to require the comptroller
to adopt a uniform chart of accounts to be used by a county for keeping and
stating the accounts of the officials and  authorizes but does not require
a county to use the uniform chart of accounts in reporting financial data
or other pertinent information to the state.  The bill deletes the
provision that requires the comptroller to prescribe forms that the
comptroller considers will meet the needs of different sized counties. 

The bill requires the comptroller to adopt the uniform chart of accounts as
soon as practicable after September 1, 2001, but not later than January 1,
2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.