BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1228
87R700 SMT-D	By: Leman (Kolkhorst)
	Local Government
	5/7/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current statute allows emergency communication districts in a county with a population of less than 30,000 to have a licensed peace officer who is appointed by the sheriff of the county in which the district is located, to sit on the board of managers for the district. This is in addition to the list of members that are already required to be a part of the board for districts bracketed to this population. H.B. 1228 would raise the population threshold from 30,000 to 40,000 to ensure a licensed peace officer can continue to serve on the board of managers for certain emergency communication districts that are located in counties with smaller populations.

Key Provisions

Raises the population threshold for those counties which may have a licensed peace officer sit on the board of managers of the emergency communication district from 30,000 to 40,000.

H.B. 1228 would impact Austin and Howard Counties.

H.B. 1228 amends current law relating to the membership of the board of managers for certain emergency communication districts.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 772.306(o), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(o) Provides that in a district subject to Subchapter D (Emergency Communication Districts: Counties With Population Over 20,000) located wholly in a county with a population of less than 40,000, the board of managers consists of the appropriate members listed in Subsection (c) (relating to the composition of a board of managers) and a peace officer licensed under Chapter 1701 (Law Enforcement Officers), Occupations Code, appointed by the county sheriff. Deletes existing text describing the composition of the board in an emergency communication district subject to this subchapter located entirely in a county with a population of less than 30,000.

SECTION 2. Requires the sheriff of a county to which Section 772.306(o), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, applies to appoint a peace officer to the board of managers as required by Section 772.306(o) as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.