TITLE transportation

Part III. Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Chapter 57. Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

43 TAC §57.35, §57.36

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) adopts amendments to §57.35 and §57.36, concerning the level of funding for projects receiving ATPA grant funds. The ATPA has statutory authority to determine funding levels. The amendments to §§57.35 and 57.36 are adopted without change to the proposed version, which was published in the Texas Register , on December 18, 1998, (23 TexReg 12906). The text of the adopted rules will not be republished.

The amendments to subsections (a), (c), and (d) of §57.36 delete the requirement for a cash or in-kind match by a grantee in order to receive ATPA funds after the second year of funding. The current maximum levels of funding as provided in subsection (a) are not changed. However, in subsection (d) and a new subsection (e), the ATPA allows a grantee to request ATPA funds above its 80% maximum of the second year award in a project's third grant year and thereafter, provided the grantee contributes a cash match of 20% of the total ATPA funds awarded. Currently, a grantee, beginning in the third year of a project, is restricted to a maximum funding level of 80% of the second year award. The original intent of this restriction was to encourage projects to become, in part, self-funded. Inadvertently, this restriction has prevented the ATPA from awarding sufficient funding to successful projects, after the second year. Under this amendment, the ATPA will consider increased funding above the 80% restriction for qualified projects to assist in covering annual cost increases and to support continued growth. However, in order to receive this additional funding, a grantee must contribute a 20% cash match, which must be expended prior to the expenditure of any ATPA funds. In this manner, the ATPA hopes to encourage self-funding and at the same time provide sufficient ATPA funding for successful projects that should be continued at current activity levels or expanded.

New subsection (f) allows grantees in their 80% year of funding to be awarded additional funding, without cash match, to encourage the consolidation of programs or the inclusion of new agencies in current grant programs. Allowing programs to consolidate or add new agencies should result in a more cost efficient disbursement of funds and enable the ATPA to continue to expand the geographic coverage of ATPA sponsored auto theft prevention efforts. For consistency with the changes to §57.36, paragraph (3) of §57.35, which sets out requirements for continued funding, is amended by referencing the new §57.36(d). Other changes in text are amended for clarity, grammar, consistency and format.

No written comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

These amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4413(37), §6(a). The ATPA interprets §6(a) as authorizing it to adopt rules implementing its statutory powers and duties, which includes determining levels of funding for the ATPA grant projects as part of its plan for providing financial support to combat automobile theft and economic automobile theft as required by §§7 and 8 of Article 4413(37).

§§57.35, 57.36 --Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4413(37) §§6(a), 7, 8 are affected by this rule.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 7, 1999.

TRD-9900060

Agustin De La Rosa

Director

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Effective date: January 27, 1999

Proposal publication date: December 18, 1998

For further information, please call: (512) 416-4606


43 TAC §57.57

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) adopts new §57.57 concerning historically underutilized businesses. The new section is adopted without change to the proposed version, which was published in the Texas Register , on November 13, 1998, (23 TexReg 11627). The text of the adopted rule will not be republished. Section 57.57 is necessary to comply with House Bill 1, General Appropriations Act, 75th Legislature, Article IX, Section 124.5 (1997), which directs state agencies to adopt the rules of the General Services Commission based on that Commission's State Disparity Study. The rule adopts the Commission's rules by reference.

No written comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The new rule is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4413(37), §6(a) which the ATPA interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules implementing its statutory powers and duties, and House Bill 1, General Appropriations Act, 75th Legislature, Article IX, §124.5 (1997), which the ATPA interprets as requiring it to adopt the rules of the General Services Commission based on the Commission's State Diversity Study.

No statutory or code section is affected by the adopted new rule.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 7, 1999.

TRD-9900059

Agustin De La Rosa

Director

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Effective date: January 27, 1999

Proposal publication date: November 13, 1998

For further information, please call: (512) 416-4606