TITLE: Relating to a study conducted by the State Auditor's Office to compare the projected cost estimate attached to certain bills and resolutions to the actual cost to the state of the bills and resolutions.

SUMMARY: Relating to a study conducted by the State Auditor's Office to compare the projected cost estimate attached to certain bills and resolutions to the actual cost to the state of the bills and resolutions.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a study conducted by the State Auditor's Office to compare the projected cost estimate attached to certain bills and resolutions to the actual cost to the state of the bills and resolutions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 321, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 321.0139 to read as follows: Sec. 321.0139. STUDY ON ACTUAL COST OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. (a) The State Auditor shall conduct a study to compare the probable cost estimate in fiscal notes prepared by the Legislative Budget Board and attached to bills or resolutions in accordance with Chapter 314 with the actual cost to the state of the bills or resolutions. (b) In conducting the study under this section, the State Auditor shall: (1) select for cost comparison a random sample set consisting of 10 percent of fiscal notes prepared by the Legislative Budget Board from the preceding five regular legislative sessions that: (A) projected a cost to the state; and (B) were attached to bills or resolutions that took effect; and (2) develop a system to determine the actual cost to the state associated with a bill or resolution that took effect. (c) Not later than September 1, 2018, the State Auditor shall deliver the results of the study conducted under this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the House Appropriations Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee. (d) This section expires December 31, 2018. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.