1. (a) Except as provided by this subsection, a state agency may use money appropriated for a particular fiscal year to pay expenses related to conducting or attending a seminar or a conference only to the extent it occurs during that year. To the extent that it is cost-effective, a state agency may use money appropriated for a particular fiscal year to pay expenses related to conducting or attending a seminar or conference that will occur partly or entirely during a different fiscal year.
2. (b) The comptroller may authorize a state agency to use money appropriated for a particular fiscal year to pay the entire cost or amount of a service, including an Internet connection, a periodical subscription, a maintenance contract, a post office box rental, insurance, or a surety or honesty bond, regardless of whether the service is provided over more than one fiscal year.
3. (c) A state agency may use money appropriated for a particular fiscal year to pay for a utility service provided during that fiscal year and September of the next fiscal year.
4. (d) The comptroller may establish procedures and adopt rules to administer this section.

5. (e) In this section:

   1. (1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

   2. (2) "State agency" means:

      1. (A) a department, commission, board, office, or other entity in the executive branch of state government, including an institution of higher education;
      2. (B) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, another entity in the judicial branch of state government with statewide authority, or a court of appeals; or
      3. (C) the legislature or another entity in the legislative branch of state government with statewide authority.

   3. (3) "Utility service" means:

      1. (A) the furnishing of electricity, water, or natural gas;
      2. (B) a telecommunications service, a wastewater treatment service, or a waste disposal service; or
      3. (C) any similar commodity or service that the comptroller considers to be a utility service.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1498, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1158, Sec. 55, eff. June 15, 2001;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 55, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.