HBA-CMT H.B. 2220 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2220
By: Martinez Fischer
Urban Affairs
3/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state law requires that city-owned vehicles be clearly marked
with the city's name and the title of the department to which the vehicle
is assigned.  The law allows cities to exempt some vehicles from the
requirement, including vehicles used by a police department, a magistrate,
or a medical examiner.  In investigating potential fraud or mismanagement
by municipal employees, it may be advantageous for a city to be able to use
unmarked vehicles.  House Bill 2220 allows cities to exempt a vehicle that
is used by a city employee to conduct an investigation involving suspected
fraud or other mismanagement within the city from inscription requirements. 

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 2220 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the governing
body of a municipality  to exempt an office having control of an automobile
from the requirement of inscripting an automobile with the name of the
municipality and office when it is used by a municipal employee conducting
an investigation involving suspected fraud or other mismanagement within
the municipality. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.