82R3134 KLA-D
By: Otto H.B. No. 967
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the computation of the state debt limit.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1231, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. LIMIT ON STATE DEBT PAYABLE FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Sec. 1231.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Maximum annual debt service" means the limitation
on annual debt service imposed by Section 49-j(a), Article III,
Texas Constitution.
(2) "State debt payable from the general revenue fund"
has the meaning assigned by Section 49-j(b), Article III, Texas
Constitution.
(3) "Unissued debt" means state debt payable from the
general revenue fund that has been authorized but not issued.
Sec. 1231.152. COMPUTATION OF DEBT LIMIT. In computing the
annual debt service in a state fiscal year on state debt payable
from the general revenue fund for purposes of determining whether
additional state debt may be authorized without exceeding the
maximum annual debt service, the board may employ any assumptions
related to unissued debt that the board determines are necessary to
reflect common or standard debt issuance practices authorized by
law, including assumptions regarding:
(1) interest rates;
(2) debt maturity; and
(3) debt service payment structures.
Sec. 1231.153. REPORT ON COMPUTATION. (a) The board shall
publish during each state fiscal year a report providing a detailed
description of the method used to compute the annual debt service in
that fiscal year on state debt payable from the general revenue fund
for purposes of determining whether additional state debt may be
authorized. The report must describe:
(1) the debt service included in the computation,
including debt service on issued and unissued debt;
(2) the assumptions on which the debt service on
unissued debt was based; and
(3) any other factors required by law that affect the
computation.
(b) The board may publish the report required by this
section as a component of any other report required by law,
including the annual report required by Section 1231.102, or as an
independent report. The board shall make the report available to
the public.
SECTION 2. The Bond Review Board shall publish the initial
report required by Section 1231.153, Government Code, as added by
this Act, during the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2011.
SECTION 3. 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. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.