85R710 AAF-F By: Bonnen of Galveston H.B. No. 2745 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the preparation of government growth impact statements for rules proposed by state agencies. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2001, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2001.0221 to read as follows: Sec. 2001.0221. GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT STATEMENTS. (a) A state agency shall prepare a government growth impact statement for a proposed rule. (b) A state agency shall reasonably describe in the government growth impact statement whether, during the first five years that the rule will be in effect: (1) the rule creates or eliminates a government program; (2) implementation of the rule requires the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; (3) implementation of the rule requires an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; (4) the rule requires an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; (5) the rule creates a new regulation; (6) the rule expands, limits, or repeals an existing regulation; (7) the rule increases or decreases the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; and (8) the rule positively or adversely affects the state's economy. (c) The comptroller shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules must require that the government growth impact statement be in plain language. The comptroller may prescribe the use of a chart that a state agency may use to disclose the items required under Subsection (b). (d) Each state agency shall incorporate the impact statement into the notice required by Section 2001.024. (e) This section applies to the adoption of an emergency rule. (f) Failure to comply with this section does not impair the legal effect of a rule adopted under this chapter. SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2017, the comptroller of public accounts shall adopt rules under Section 2001.0221(c), Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. Section 2001.0221, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a proposed rule for which the notice required under Section 2001.023(b), Government Code, is filed on or after November 1, 2017. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.