TITLE 34. PUBLIC FINANCE

DIVISION 1. STATE SUPPORT SERVICES - MAIL AND PRINTING

34 TAC §20.382

The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes amendments to §20.382, concerning printing.

No legislation was enacted within the last four years that provides the statutory authority for the amendments.

The comptroller amends subsection (a) to remove unnecessary language that merely recites the statute. The revised language provides that §20.382 does not apply to institutions of higher education. The revised language aligns this section with Government Code, §2172.003(d).

The comptroller amends subsection (b) to streamline language. The revised language provides that the comptroller may assess and evaluate printing operations of state agencies and make recommendations to increase productivity and cost-effectiveness.

The comptroller amends subsection (c) to remove the outdated Council on Competitive Government's (CCG) Cost Methodology as a baseline for evaluating and comparing cost of state agency printing operations. CCG has been abolished. The new language provides all state agency print shops in Travis County shall operate under an interagency contract, and an interagency contract is the sole method through which the comptroller will authorize a state agency in Travis County to operate a print shop.

The comptroller amends subsection (d) to provide that the comptroller's review of print shop equipment purchases under §20.382 is optional. Subsection (d) now states that the comptroller may review state agency requisitions for new print shop equipment, including copiers and other printing devices. The new language also provides instruction on how to initiate the review, and lists written documentation the state agency may provide the comptroller for review. It eliminates items the comptroller will no longer review, because it is duplicative or irrelevant to the comptroller's review. The amendment renumbers the paragraphs in subsection (d) to adjust for the deleted language.

The comptroller amends subsection (f) to describe the comptroller's internet portal for obtaining quotes from print shops. Because the print shop portal has replaced the print shop roster formerly maintained by the comptroller, the amended subsection (f) no longer mentions the roster. The amended subsection (f) also provides that institutions of higher education and agencies with print shops outside Travis County may participate in the portal by entering an interagency agreement with the comptroller.

The comptroller deletes subsection (g). The comptroller maintains the online Centralized Master Bidders List as described in §20.107 of this title. Maintaining a printed listing as described in the former subsection (g) would merely duplicate the same information in a less useful format.

The amendment renumbers former subsection (h), to subsection (g).

Brad Reynolds, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that during the first five years that the proposed amendments are in effect, the amended rule: will not create or eliminate a government program; will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions; will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; will not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; and will not positively or adversely affect this state's economy. This proposal amends an existing rule.

Mr. Reynolds also has determined that the proposed rule amendments would have no fiscal impact on the state government, units of local government, or individuals. The proposed amendments would benefit the public by improving the clarity and implementation of the section. There would be no anticipated economic cost to the public. The proposed amendments would have no fiscal impact on small businesses or rural communities.

You may submit comments on the proposal or information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposal, including any applicable data, research or analysis, to Gerard MacCrossan, P.O. Box 13528 Austin, Texas 78711 or to the email address: Gerard.MacCrossan@cpa.texas.gov The comptroller must receive your comments or other information no later than 30 days from the date of publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

A public hearing will be held to receive comments on the proposed amendments. There is no physical location for this meeting. The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. To access the online public meeting by web browser, please enter the following URL into your browser: https://txcpa.webex.com/txcpa/j.php?MTID=mc5da036d94cb39fac7c45cfeacf72d09.

To join the meeting by computer or cell phone using the Webex app, use the access code 24868453987 and password SPDRULES. Persons interested in providing comments at the public hearing may contact Mr. Gerard MacCrossan, Comptroller of Public Accounts, at Gerard.MacCrossan@cpa.texas.gov or by calling (512) 463-4468 by February 9, 2026.

These amendments are proposed under Government Code, §2172.003 which provides that the comptroller shall adopt rules for state agencies to implement Chapter 2172 regarding printing activities; and assess and evaluate those activities.

These amendments implement Government Code Chapter 2172.

§20.382. Printing.

(a) This section does not apply to institutions of higher education. [Pursuant to Government Code, §2172.003, the comptroller may provide assistance to any state agency regarding their printing activities. Assistance can be provided by telephone, fax, letter, e-mail or in person.]

(b) The comptroller may assess [assesses] and evaluate [evaluates] printing operations of state agencies and [activities to ensure the best interests of the State of Texas are met. The comptroller may] make recommendations to [state agencies that will] increase [the] productivity and cost-effectiveness [of their printing operations. The assessment may include but is not limited to an appraisal of equipment, customer base, sales, printing volume, costs, and personnel].

(c) [The comptroller adopted the Council on Competitive Government's (CCG) Cost Methodology as a baseline for evaluating and comparing cost of state agency printing operations.] All state agency print shops in Travis County shall [(except higher education)] operate under an interagency contract [a Franchise Agreement ("Agreement")] with the comptroller. An interagency contract is the sole method through which the comptroller will authorize [, which allows state agencies currently operating a print shop to maintain direct control with general oversight provided by the comptroller through Franchise Agreements. Failure to sign the Agreement will eliminate the authority for] a state agency in Travis County to operate a print shop. [The Agreement requires each print shop to utilize the CCG Cost Methodology in determining the cost of printing. Each print shop shall provide quarterly data to the comptroller, which will summarize this information in quarterly and annual reports.]

(d) The comptroller may review [reviews] state agency requisitions for new print shop equipment, including copiers [copiers/duplicators] and other printing devices [used in quick copy operations]. To initiate [complete] the review, the state agency must provide written documentation to the comptroller. This documentation may include [but is not limited to]:

(1) a justification for [summary narrative justifying] the proposed purchase, rent, or lease of equipment;

[(2) a description of the method of finance;]

(2) [(3)] a list [detailing] of any [the model(s) of] printing equipment the agency [currently has that it] plans to replace [(if applicable)];

(3) [(4)] a list [detailing] of [the model(s) of] printing equipment the agency plans to acquire;

(4) [(5) a detailing of] current annual costs for any equipment to be replaced [(if applicable)];

(5) [(6) a detailing of] the estimated annual cost for the proposed equipment;

(6) [(7)] the cost benefit of proposed equipment;

(7) [(8)] the estimated volume of work which may be processed through the proposed equipment; and

[(9) a summary of the equipment(s) enhanced features;]

(8) [(10)] the number of hours per day the proposed equipment will run.[;]

[(11) the number of shifts the proposed equipment will be operated on a daily basis; and]

[(12) miscellaneous information that may be pertinent as a consequence of other information supplied by the agency.]

(e) The comptroller shall assist state agencies with expediting the production of printing and graphic arts by serving as a source of information, facilitating disputes, hosting meetings, or performing other services.

(f) The comptroller shall operate an internet portal that allows state agencies to request print shop services and receive cost quotes from authorized state agency print shops. Institutions of higher education and agencies with print shops outside Travis County may participate by entering an interagency agreement with the comptroller. [A roster of franchised print shops is maintained by the comptroller. This roster includes print shop equipment, facilities, special capabilities, and staffing. The roster will be provided to requesting entities.]

[(g) The comptroller will work with state agencies to ensure that printing services and supplies are purchased in the most economical manner possible. A vendor listing by commodity and services is maintained to maximize information regarding private sector suppliers. A summary vendor listing will be provided to requesting entities.]

(g) [(h)] The comptroller will work with state agencies to coordinate the consolidation of print shops when the agencies involved determine a consolidation is appropriate.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 29, 2025.

TRD-202504793

Don Neal

General Counsel, Operations and Support Legal Services

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 8, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 475-2220

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