BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 562
By: Turner, Sylvester
March 29, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Board Members of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority
currently are allowed to serve up to eight years (four two-year
terms).  The mayor and council of the City of Houston, which
appoints the majority of the board, are limited to six years (three
terms) in their offices.  Some of the board members who have
completed their terms have served (and voted on board business) for
as long as a year after their terms have expired while waiting to
be replaced.  Over the past fifteen years there have been public
complaints that the appointed board may not be sufficiently
accountable.


PURPOSE

To limit the terms of transit authority board members to six years,
the same as those of the mayor and council which appoints the
majority of the board, and to limit the time one can serve after
one's term ends.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1:

     1.  The time a person may serve on the board is limited to six
years.

     2.  A board member whose term has expired and is serving as a
holdover until a successor    is appointed may not participate in
a vote of the board after 45 days beyond the end of    the term, or
if the person's board service exceeds the six-year limit.

SECTION 2.  Transitional provision.

SECTION 3.  States that the Act takes effect September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 562 was considered in a public hearing on March 27, 1995.  The
following people testified in favor of the bill: Rep. Turner.  The
bill was reported favorably, without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 pnv, and 2 absent.