BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2805
                                             By: Naishtat (Ellis)
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                         05-17-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Municipal housing authorities are governed by boards with
commissioners appointed by the mayor.  Although public housing
tenants are not prohibited from serving as commissioners, tenants
generally have not been appointed to serve where such appointment
is not required.  This lack of tenant involvement impedes
communication.

H.B. 1547, passed in the 73rd Legislature, provided for the
appointment of tenant representatives as commissioners of
municipal, county, and regional housing authorities.  However,
cities with a population of less than 75,000 were exempted from its
provisions.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2805 deletes the exemption for municipalities
with a population of 75,000 or less; prohibits an appointed tenant
representative commissioner from being reappointed to consecutive
terms.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 393.0331(a) and (f), Local Government
Code, as follows:

     (a)  Deletes the provision providing that this section applies
     only to a municipality with a population of 75,000 or more.
     
     (f)  Prohibits, rather than authorizes, a commissioner
     appointed under this section from being reappointed to
     consecutive terms.
     
     SECTION 2.     Makes application of this Act prospective.  Requires the
presiding officer of a municipality to appoint a tenant member
required by Section 392.0331, Local Government Code, as amended by
this Act, as the terms of commissioners of the housing authority
expire or as a vacancy is created in a commissioner's position.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.