TITLE administration

Part IV. Office of the Secretary of State

Chapter 99. Standards of Conduct of State Officers and Employees

1 TAC §99.1, §99.2

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Office of the Secretary of State proposes the repeal of §99.1 and §99.2, concerning Financial Statement Filings by State Officers and Employees. The rules are being repealed because the Legislature transferred responsibility for the financial statement filings to the Texas Ethics Commission.

The legislative authority, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-9b, was repealed by an act of the 73rd Legislature, Chapter 268§46(1), effective September 1, 1993.

Ann McGeehan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Elections Division, has determined that there are no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of repealing these rules.

Ms. McGeehan has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of the repeals will be the removal of obsolete and unenforceable rules from the Texas Administrative Code. The repeals will have no fiscal implications for small businesses or cost to persons, because the rules are obsolete and unenforceable.

Comments on the proposed repeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication in the Texas Register . Send comments to Dan Procter, Texas Register, P.O. Box 13824, Austin, Texas, 78711-13824.

The repeals are proposed because the authority for adoption of these rules was repealed. No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by the proposed repeals.

§99.1.Notice of Late Filing.

§99.2.Financial Statement Form.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 12, 1999.

TRD-9901525

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of The Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Chapter 101. Practice and Procedure Before the Office of the Secretary of State

The Office of the Secretary of State proposes to repeal §§101.4, 101.8-101.10, 101.20, 101.21, 101.31-101.34, 101.40, 101.42-101.44, 101.50, and 101.53, concerning Practice and Procedure Before the Office of the Secretary of State.

These rules are being repealed because they duplicate procedures contained under Chapter 155 of this title (relating to Rules of Procedure) adopted in 1998 by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Guy Joyner, Chief of the Legal Support Unit for the Statutory Documents Section, has determined that there are no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of repealing these rules.

Mr. Joyner has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of the repeals will be the removal of duplicative rules from the Texas Administrative Code. The repeals will have no fiscal implications for small businesses or cost to persons as a result of enforcement because the same requirements continue to exist under the rule of the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Comments on the proposed repeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication in the Texas Register . Send comments to Dan Procter, Texas Register, P.O. Box 13824, Austin, Texas, 78711-13824.

Subchapter A. General Rules

1 TAC §§101.4, 101.8-101.10

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under authority of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter A, §2001.004; Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1396-9.03; Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 722, §722.003; Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter A, §406.023; Texas Election Code, §31.003; and Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.08.

The repeals are cross-referenced to the authority statutes and to 1 TAC Chapter 155.

§101.4.Computation of Time.

§101.8.Personal Service by Parties.

§101.9.Parties.

§101.10.Conduct and Decorum.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 15, 1999.

TRD-9901553

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Subchapter B. Initiation of Proceedings, Complaints, and Pleadings

1 TAC §101.20, §101.21

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under authority of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter A, §2001.004; Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1396-9.03; Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 722, §722.003; Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter A, §406.023; Texas Election Code, §31.003; and Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.08.

The repeals are cross-referenced to the authority statutes and to 1 TAC Chapter 155.

§101.20.Filing, Form, and Content of Complaints, Pleadings, and Other Documents.

§101.21.Time for Filing.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 15, 1999.

TRD-9901554

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Subchapter C. Prehearing Procedures

1 TAC §§101.31-101.34

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under authority of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter A, §2001.004; Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1396-9.03; Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 722, §722.003; Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter A, §406.023; Texas Election Code, §31.003; and Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.08.

The repeals are cross-referenced to the authority statutes and to 1 TAC Chapter 155.

§101.31.Postponement, Continuance, or Withdrawal.

§101.32.Prehearing Conference.

§101.33.Discovery.

§101.34.Witness Fees.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 15, 1999.

TRD-9901555

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 15, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Subchapter D. Hearing Procedures

1 TAC §§101.40, 101.42-101.44

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under authority of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter A, §2001.004; Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1396-9.03; Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 722, §722.003; Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter A, §406.023; Texas Election Code, §31.003; and Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.08.

The repeals are cross-referenced to the authority statutes and to 1 TAC Chapter 155.

§101.40.The Hearings Examiner.

§101.42.Order of Procedure.

§101.43.Evidence.

§101.44.Transcripts.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 15, 1999.

TRD-9901556

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Subchapter E. Post-Hearing Procedures

1 TAC §101.50, §101.53

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under authority of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter A, §2001.004; Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1396-9.03; Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 722, §722.003; Texas Government Code, Chapter 406, Subchapter A, §406.023; Texas Election Code, §31.003; and Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.08.

The repeals are cross-referenced to the authority statutes and to 1 TAC Chapter 155.

§101.50.Proposal for Decision.

§101.53.Remand to the Hearings Examiner.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 15, 1999.

TRD-9901557

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562


Part V. General Services Commission

Chapter 125. Support Services Division-Travel and Vehicle [Travel and Transportation Division]

The General Services Commission proposes amendments to Title 1, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 125, Subchapter B, Sections 125.41, 125.45, 125.47 and 125.49 concerning State Vehicle Fleet Management, and Subchapter C, Sections 125.63, 125.65, 125.67 and 125.69 concerning the Texas Alternative Fuels Program. The proposed amendments will also change the heading of Chapter 125 from "Travel and Transportation Division" to "Support Services Division - Travel and Vehicle". In addition, the proposed amendments will allow for the deletion of obsolete language, update definitions, and delineate certain additional information to be reported by state agencies in support of the Vehicle Fleet Management System, should such information be available.

Frank Mays, Director of Support Services Division, has determined that for the first five year period these rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of implementing these amendments.

Frank Mays, Director of Support Services Division, further determines that for each year of the first five-year period the amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing these rules will be a clearer understanding of the services provided by the Vehicle Fleet Management and Alternative Fuels Program. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposals may be submitted to Judy Ponder, General Counsel, General Services Commission, P.O. Box 13047, Austin, TX 78711-3047. Comments must be received no later than 30 days from the date of publication of the proposal to the Texas Register .

Subchapter B. State Vehicle Fleet Management

1 TAC §§125.41, 125.45, 125.47 125.49

The amendments to Title 1, Texas Administrative Code, Part V, Chapter 125 under Subchapter B - Sections 125.41, 125.45, 125.47 and 125.49, are proposed under the authority of the Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2171, Section 2171.002. which provide the General Services Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with the code.

The following statute is affected by these rules: Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2171, and Texas Government Code, Section 2203.001.

§125.41.Vehicle Fleet Management.

(a)

The commission administers the state vehicle fleet management program which consists of vehicle fleet maintenance services and a computerized Vehicle Fleet Management System [ vehicle fleet management system ].

(b)

The commission offers vehicle [ Vehicle ] fleet maintenance services to all state agencies [ are available to any state vehicle ] in Travis County on a full cost recovery basis. The services include [ ,including ] preventative maintenance and routine [ extensive ] mechanical repair work [ , via ] . The commission shall negotiate contracts or service arrangement for extensive mechanical work such as major engine overhauls, transmission repair, and similar requirements [ established by the commission ].

(c)

The computerized Vehicle Fleet Management System is a database that contains [ vehicle fleet management system maintains ] information on vehicle inventories, maintenance and repair history, mileage, fuel usage, and expenses incurred for all state agencies .

[ (d)

Each agency will be able to access the fleet management system. ]

(d)

[ (e) ] The commission will sponsor an annual [ host a ] fleet management conference [ annually ] to consider:

(1)

adjustments to the Vehicle Fleet Management System;

(2)

current fleet management issues; and

(3)

the improvement [ promotion ] of fleet management expertise among state agencies.

[ (f)

The commission's goal is to timely and efficiently provide all vehicle services economically to save money for the State. ]

[ (g)

These rules are not intended to conflict with existing statutes concerning the operation of state-owned motor vehicles. ]

§125.45.Vehicle Fleet Management System.

(a)

The Vehicle Fleet Management System [ vehicle fleet management system ] is the responsibility of the commission's fleet manager. The commission maintains the main repository and database for all vehicle information submitted by each agency in accordance with this subsection. The commission is responsible for developing the form, format, and composition of all data submitted electronically or otherwise to the vehicle fleet management system to assure system continuity.

(b)

[ (1) ] Each agency fleet officer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and submitting to the commission twice each fiscal year accurate vehicle information in the form and format established by the commission [ using either the fleet management system software supplied at no cost by the commission, or an alternate system ].

(1)

[ (2) ] Information to be recorded in each [ an ] agency's fleet management system for submission to the commission's repository and database includes, but is not limited to:

(A)

acquisition date, vehicle make, model, type, class, year, gross vehicle weight rating, exempt license plate number, manufacturer, vehicle identification number, whether a special purpose vehicle, and whether a pool or assigned vehicle;

(B)

acquisition cost, capitalized value, current book value, repair and maintenance expenses, direct and indirect labor expense, accumulated depreciation and its present rate, replacement policy, current mileage, vehicle disposal date, and disposal price or salvage value;

(C)

type, and quantity of all fuels and lubricants used, including their cost, type, size of vehicle engine, vehicle lifetime odometer reading, and miles traveled per month;

(D)

insurance and accident related expense;

(E)

standard labor rate for any state agency operated repair facility;

(F)

downtime, transfer date, disposal date and any other information necessary to compute the average cost of operation, per month, of the various classes and types of vehicles; and

(G)

vehicle location by city and county[ , if available ].

(2)

Information for the reporting period from September 1 to February 28 must be submitted on or before March 30 each year. Information covering the reporting period from March 1 to August 31 must be submitted on or before September 30 each year.

[ (b)

To facilitate data collection, each state agency shall provide the commission with a copy of their agency vehicle operational handbook, within 100 days of the effective date of this subsection. Any changes or additions to an agency handbook shall be submitted to the fleet manager within 30 days of their effective date. ]

[ (c)

Agencies operating a fleet management system other than the vehicle fleet management system used by the commission shall provide the following additional information.}]

[ (1)

The name and version of automation software utilized;]

[ (2)

Name of the company or programmer supporting the software;]

[ (3)

System database structure; and]

[ (4)

Other available information regarding the software if requested by the commission.]

[ (d)

Information required by this subsection shall be submitted to the commission by March 30th and September 30th each year following the six month period in which the data was compiled. ]

(c)

[ (e) ]The Vehicle Fleet Management System [ vehicle fleet management system ] maintained by the commission constitutes the primary instrument used to provide fleet management assistance . Following the March 30 and September 30 fiscal year detailed submissions , [ as follows. Twice each fiscal year, ] information submitted from each agency's [ agency ] files will be compiled into the main repository and database. Fleet management reports detailing operating trends, cost analysis, and special exception reports listing agencies with unusually high operating expenses will be generated and made available to agency fleet officers .

[ (f)

The commission reserves the right to develop and approve the form, format, and composition of all data submitted to the vehicle fleet management system to assure system continuity. ]

§125.47.Vehicle Fleet Maintenance Services.

(a)

Vehicle fleet maintenance services, offered by the commission at its facility located at 6506 Bolm Road, Austin, Texas, are optional for state agencies and include, but are not limited to:

(1)

required annual [ state-approved ] vehicle safety inspections;

[ (2)

bulk fuel system credit card purchases; ]

(2)

[ (3) ] lubrication , oil changes, and filter services;

(3)

[ (4) ] maintenance services, including preventative maintenance , brake services, and routine mechanical repair work ;

(4)

[ (5) ] contract negotiation services necessary to secure extensive mechanical work such as major engine and transmission overhauls, body repair work and similar requirements ; and

(5)

[ (6) ] services authorized by statute [ in Senate Bill 740, Acts, 71st Legislature ] and provided at [ any of ] the centralized alternative refueling station [ stations and/or the regional conversion ] and repair facilities [ if ] established by the commission.

(b)

The services specified in subsection (a) of this section may be used by any [ at the convenience of the requesting ] state agency . The cost to a state agency for any vehicle fleet maintenance service provided by the commission shall be equal to the cost incurred by the commission to perform the service. [ except that bulk fuel system credit cards will only be issued by the fleet manager upon written request. ]

[ (c)

An agency may only terminate its use of bulk fuel system credit card services in writing. On termination it must return any vehicle fleet management property in its possession. ]

[ (d)

A state agency which enters into a written contract or agreement for extensive mechanical work without utilizing the commission's contract negotiation service shall provide a copy of such contract or agreement to the commission. ]

§125.49.Vehicle Use Report.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

The Vehicle Use Report is the official record of the state and no other form or report may be used by a state agency without prior written approval by the commission .

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 3, 1999.

TRD-9901315

Judy Ponder

General Counsel

General Services Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-3960


Subchapter C. Texas Alternative Fuels Program

1 TAC §§125.63, 125.65, 125.67 125.69

The amendments to Title 1, Texas Administrative Code, Part V, Chapter 125 under Subchapter C - Sections 125.63, 125.65, 125.67 and 125.69 are proposed under the authority of the Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2171, Section 2171.002. which provide the General Services Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with the code.

The following statute is affected by these rules: Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2171, and Texas Government Code, Section 2203.001.

§125.63. Assistance to State Agencies and School Districts.

(a)

The Vehicle Fleet Management office of the commission [ Section ] facilitates, encourages, and expedites alternative fuels use by state agencies and school districts.

(b)

The Vehicle Fleet Management office of the commission [ Section ] provides informational materials regarding alternative fuels, presents state of the art data at fleet management conferences, provides state vehicle operational data, locates facilities to convert state vehicles to alternative fuels, helps identify vehicles that are appropriate for conversion, and provides technical assistance.

(c)

To assist with vehicle conversion, the Vehicle Fleet Management office of the commission [ Section ] works with state agency fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers and converters, fuel distributors, and any other necessary entities.

(d)

The Vehicle Fleet Management office of the commission [ Section ] provides information to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for its determination of air quality benefits associated with the use of alternative fuels.

§125.65.[ Reduction and/or ] Waiver of Vehicles to Meet Required Fleet Percentages.

(a)

Any state agency operating a fleet of more than 15 motor vehicles, excluding law enforcement and emergency vehicles, shall have a fleet percentage of alternative fuel vehicles equal to or greater than 30% of the total number of such vehicles operated by September 1, 1994, and a percent equal to or greater than 50% by September 1, 1996. [ Contingent upon a determination by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission by December 31, 1996, that the alternative fuel program reduced total annual emissions from vehicles, state agencies shall have a fleet percentage equal to or greater than 90% of alternative fuel vehicles by September 1, 1998, and thereafter. ]

(b)

An agency desiring a waiver [ or reduction ] from subsection (a) of this section shall submit a certification to the Vehicle Fleet Management office of the commission that meets one or more of the following conditions :

(1) - (3)

(No change.)

(c)

The subsection (b) of this section certification must be sent to the Vehicle Fleet Management office [ Section, Travel and Transportation Division ] of the commission and must be accompanied by the information described in either subsection (d) or (e) of this section.

(d)- (f)

(No change.)

(g)

The commission [ Travel and Transportation Division ] keeps these waivers for up to two years for use in waiving the purchasing restrictions for state agencies in §113.25 [ §113.21 ] of this title (relating to Purchase [ Purchases ] of Motor Vehicles).

§125.67.Effect of Waiver.

A waiver issued under section §125.65 of this title (relating to [ Reduction and/or ] Waiver of Vehicles to Meet Required Fleet Percentages) shall be kept on file by the commission for two years from date of issuance. A valid, current waiver on file for a state agency shall be deemed sufficient basis for a waiver of the purchasing restrictions for state agencies which are set forth in §113.25 of this title (relating to Purchase of Motor [ Passenger ] Vehicles).

§125.69.Alternative Fuel Usage.

Pursuant to Government Code §2171.103, the commission shall take all steps necessary to encourage the use of alternative fuels.

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

Each state agency will be required to provide fuel usage data semi-annually in accordance with §125.45 (b)(2) of Subchapter B of this chapter on every vehicle capable of using alternative fuels through the Vehicle Fleet Management [ Reporting ] System.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 3, 1999.

TRD-9901314

Judy Ponder

General Counsel

General Services Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-3960


Part XI. State Ethics Advisory Commission

Chapter 231. Advisory Opinions

1 TAC §§231.1-231.8

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Office of the Secretary of State, Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Office of the Secretary of State proposes the repeal of rules adopted under the State Ethics Advisory Commission §§231.1-231.8, concerning Advisory Opinions.

The rules are being repealed because the Legislature abolished the State Ethics Advisory Commission and transferred responsibility for Advisory Opinions to the Texas Ethics Commission. The legislative authority, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-9b, was repealed by an act of the 72nd Legislature, Chapter 304 §1.38, effective January 1, 1993.

Ann McGeehan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Elections Division, has determined that there are no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of repealing these rules.

Ms. McGeehan has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of the repeals will be the removal of obsolete and unenforceable rules from the Texas Administrative Code. The repeals will have no fiscal implications for small businesses or cost to persons, because the rules are obsolete and unenforceable.

Comments on the proposed repeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication in the Texas Register . Send comments to Dan Procter, Texas Register, P.O. Box 13824, Austin, Texas, 78711-13824.

The repeals are proposed because the authority for adoption of these rules was repealed. No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by the proposed repeals.

§231.1.Authorized Requests.

§231.2.Confidentiality of a Request.

§231.3.Examination and Referral of Request.

§231.4.Time Period.

§231.5.Form of Opinion.

§231.6.Adoption of Opinion.

§231.7.Adoption of Rules.

§231.8.Accepting Opinion Requests.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on March 12, 1999.

TRD-9901526

Jeff Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5562