73R7924 DRH-D
By Shelley, et al. S.B. No. 530
Substitute the following for S.B. No. 530:
By Bosse C.S.S.B. No. 530
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 a metropolitan area in which the
1-12 population of the principal city exceeds 1,200,000 according to the
1-13 most recent federal census; and
1-14 (3) not part of the territory of an existing
1-15 authority.
1-16 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, an
1-17 alternate city may create a metropolitan transit authority in the
1-18 same manner as a principal city with a population in excess of
1-19 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census. Except as
1-20 provided by Subsection (d) of this section, an authority created by
1-21 an alternate city and confirmed has the same powers and duties as
1-22 an authority in which the population of the principal city exceeds
1-23 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census.
1-24 (c) The governing body of an alternate city shall by
2-1 ordinance or resolution set a time and a place for holding a public
2-2 hearing if an authority is proposed under either method provided by
2-3 Section 3(a) of this Act. The ordinance or resolution must define
2-4 the boundaries of the areas proposed to be included in the
2-5 authority. The initial territory in an authority shall include all
2-6 the territory in the jurisdiction of the alternate city and may
2-7 include an area that the alternate city completely surrounds and
2-8 has been designated by the alternate city as an industrial
2-9 district.
2-10 (d) An authority created by an alternate city and confirmed
2-11 has a board composed of five members who serve for terms of two
2-12 years. The members shall be appointed by the mayor of the
2-13 alternate city subject to confirmation by the governing body of the
2-14 alternate city. A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the
2-15 term in the same manner as that provided for original appointment.
2-16 On expiration of a term of office of a member of the board, the
2-17 member may be reappointed or another person may be appointed to
2-18 replace the member for a succeeding term. A member of the board is
2-19 entitled to reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses
2-20 incurred in the discharge of duties as a board member. A board
2-21 member in an alternate city authority receives no compensation for
2-22 attending a board meeting. Section 6B of this Act does not apply
2-23 to authorities created by alternate cities.
2-24 (e) An authority created by an alternate city and confirmed
2-25 and an authority in which the population of the principal city
2-26 exceeds 1,200,000 according to the most recent federal census may
2-27 contract for service outside the area of their respective
3-1 authorities for the purpose of providing access between the two
3-2 authorities.
3-3 SECTION 2. Section 3(a), Chapter 141, Acts of the 63rd
3-4 Legislature, Regular Session, 1973 (Article 1118x, Vernon's Texas
3-5 Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
3-6 (a) The governing body of a principal city in a metropolitan
3-7 area may, on its own motion, shall, as provided in Subsection (b)
3-8 of this section, and shall, upon being presented with a petition so
3-9 requesting signed by not less than 500 <5,000> qualified voters
3-10 residing within such metropolitan area, institute proceedings to
3-11 create a rapid transit authority in the manner prescribed in this
3-12 section.
3-13 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
3-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
3-18 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-19 passage, and it is so enacted.