BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2300
By: Danburg
03-24-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The House of Representatives of the 73rd Legislature was elected
under a plan drawn by the three-judge federal district court in
Terrazas v. Slagle.  In January, 1992, the legislature enacted a
House redistricting plan for the 74th and subsequent legislatures. 
The changes made to the previous districts were substantial because
of the population shifts.  The new districts, together with changes
in other districts such as those for the Senate and Congress,
resulted in the drawing of new election precincts, including many
with little or no population.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2300 proposes changes to certain House districts
as enacted in 1992 to exchange certain voting precincts between the
House districts.

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.  Exchanges certain territory between House Districts 134
and 137.

SECTION 2.  Amends the 1992 House Redistricting Act by adding a
definition of "block group", to facilitate the descriptions of the
districts reconfigured by Section 1.

SECTION 3.  States that this bill will not affect members or
districts of the House of the 74th Lagislature.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to public notice posted March 23, 1995, the House
Committee on Redistricting met in a public hearing on March 28,
1995.  Representative Danburg explained the bill.  The bill was
reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 4 absent.