TITLE 34. PUBLIC FINANCE

DIVISION 1. STATE SUPPORT SERVICES - MAIL AND PRINTING

34 TAC §20.381

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts amendments to §20.381, concerning policy and purpose, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 30, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 534). The rule will not be republished.

The comptroller amends subsection (a) to remove passive voice and unnecessary language and clarify the comptroller's role for providing interagency mail and messenger services between state agencies in Travis County.

The comptroller amends subsection (b) to remove passive voice and streamline language. The revised language provides that mail and messenger service will not deliver personal mail. In addition, the revised subsection states that mail and messenger service will not deliver packages weighing more than 70 pounds.

The comptroller amends subsection (c) to remove passive voice and simplify language, and state when the mail and messenger service will deliver state warrants.

The comptroller amends subsection (d) to remove passive voice and streamline language, and states that mail will be delivered to and from the United States Postal Service upon agreement of the state agency and the comptroller.

The comptroller amends subsection (e) to remove passive voice and unnecessary language and provides the mail and messenger service will process and meter outgoing mail for state agencies upon agreement of the state agency and the comptroller. This section is also amended to state each state agency shall pay for its own postage and obligations if there is a deficit.

The comptroller amends subsection (f) to delete passive voice and simplify language. In paragraph (1), the comptroller raises the threshold at or below which an agency may rely on a written justification of mail equipment purchases and service contracts from $10,000 to $25,000. In paragraph (2), the comptroller raises the corresponding threshold above which an agency must present a detailed analysis of costs and benefits for mail equipment purchases and service contracts from $10,000 to $25,000. The $25,000 threshold aligns with the requirement for posting of a solicitation in Government Code, §2155.083, along with other formal procurement requirements.

The comptroller amends subsection (g) to delete passive voice and unnecessary language, and to specify how state agencies may pay for postage on a meter rented under a term contract. The subsection provides that the comptroller may establish statewide contracts for postage meter machine rentals. And the subsection provides that state agencies that use these statewide contracts may purchase and pay for postage separately, in accordance with the requirements of United States Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual.

The comptroller did not receive any comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

These amendments are adopted under Government Code, §2176.110 which provides that the comptroller shall adopt rules for state agencies to implement Government Code, Chapter 2176 regarding mail, and under Government Code, §2113.103(c) which provides that the comptroller by rule shall adopt procedures for the payment of postage by an agency renting a postage meter machine.

These amendments implement Government Code, Chapter 2176 and Government Code, §2113.103.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 1, 2026.

TRD-202601863

Don Neal

General Counsel, Operations and Support Legal Services

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: May 21, 2026

Proposal publication date: January 30, 2026

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

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