By: Bosse H.B. No. 1344 73R4987 DRH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation of metropolitan rapid transit authorities. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Acts of the 63rd Legislature, 1-5 Regular Session, 1973 (Article 1118x, Vernon's Texas Civil 1-6 Statutes), is amended by adding Section 3B to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 3B. ALTERNATE CITIES. (a) For the purposes of this 1-8 section, "alternate city" is a city: 1-9 (1) with a population in excess of 60,000 according to 1-10 the most recent federal census; 1-11 (2) located in more than one county and in a 1-12 metropolitan area in which the population of the principal city 1-13 exceeds 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census; and 1-14 (3) not part of the territory of an existing 1-15 authority. 1-16 (b) An alternate city may create a metropolitan transit 1-17 authority in the same manner as a principal city with a population 1-18 in excess of 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census. 1-19 Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, an authority 1-20 created by an alternate city and confirmed has the same powers and 1-21 duties as an authority in which the population of the principal 1-22 city exceeds 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census. 1-23 (c) An authority created by an alternate city and confirmed 1-24 has a board composed of five members who serve for terms of two 2-1 years. The members shall be appointed by the mayor of the 2-2 alternate city subject to confirmation by the governing body of the 2-3 alternate city. A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the 2-4 term in the same manner provided for original appointment. On 2-5 expiration of a term of office of a member of the board, the member 2-6 may be reappointed, or another person may be appointed to replace a 2-7 member for a succeeding term. A member of the board is entitled to 2-8 reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the 2-9 discharge of duties as a board member. A board member in an 2-10 alternate city authority receives no compensation for attending a 2-11 board meeting. Section 6B of this Act does not apply to 2-12 authorities created by alternate cities. 2-13 (d) An authority created by an alternate city and confirmed 2-14 and an authority in which the population of the principal city 2-15 exceeds 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census may 2-16 contract for service outside the area of their respective 2-17 authorities for the purpose of providing access between the two 2-18 authorities. 2-19 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-24 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-25 passage, and it is so enacted.