Texas House Bill HB2097

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/17/09
• Voted on by House: 4/27/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/23/09

Caption

Relating to the personal and official use of state vehicles.

Impact

This legislation intends to enhance accountability and transparency in the use of state resources. By limiting the use of state money for fuel expenses, the bill seeks to prevent potential misuse of state funds and ensure that vehicle usage aligns strictly with official duties. The new reporting requirements will provide a clearer record of vehicle usage, including purpose, mileage, and fuel consumption. This could foster a more responsible and disciplined approach to the utilization of state assets, ultimately benefiting public trust in government operations.

Summary

House Bill 2097 addresses the personal and official use of state-owned or state-leased vehicles within Texas. The bill aims to amend the Government Code by introducing stricter regulations concerning fuel purchasing and reimbursement for state employees who utilize these vehicles. Specifically, it prohibits officers or employees from using state funds for purchasing fuel or using state-owned fuel, requiring them instead to submit reimbursement requests for any fuel consumed while conducting official state business.

Contention

While the bill presents clear guidelines for state vehicle usage, it may also raise concerns among state employees regarding the additional administrative burden created by the required reports and reimbursement procedures. Some may argue that the new requirement to document every use case could be overly burdensome, impacting efficiency. Moreover, there may be discussions on how this bill impacts various agencies that rely heavily on state vehicles for operational purposes, as it could necessitate changes in budgeting and operational protocols.