BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3232 By: Price (Galloway) Intergovernmental Relations 5-22-95 Senate Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND In 1949, the 51st Legislature created the Port of Beaumont Navigation District (district) of Jefferson County. Section 10, Chapter 147, of the enabling legislation required the port district to be composed of four wards so that each ward within the district shall contain as nearly as possible the same number of electors. Additionally, Section 9, Chapter 147, provides that each ward is entitled to representation by a resident on the board of the district. Currently, all six board members are elected at large. Board members are elected for a term of six years, which is longer than the terms of most elected officials. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 3232 sets forth provisions relating to the election of commissioners of the Port of Beaumont Navigation District of Jefferson County. 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 9(a) and (d), Chapter 147, Acts of the 51st Legislature, Regular Session, 1949, as follows: (a) Provides that commissioners of the Port of Beaumont Navigation District (district) of Jefferson County (commissioners) serve staggered four-year, rather than six-year, terms with the terms of three, rather than two, commissioners expiring every two years. (d) Requires one commissioner to be elected from each of the four wards established under Section 10 of this Act by the qualified voters of that ward. Requires two commissioners to be elected at large by the qualified voters of the district. Deletes references to commissioners being elected at large, and each ward being entitled to representation by a resident of the ward. SECTION 2. Requires the commissioners of the Port of Beaumont Navigation District of Jefferson County to be elected on the first Saturday in May 1997 for Ward 1 and Ward 3 and for the at-large position that except for this Act would be filled at the May 1999 commissioners election. Requires the commissions to be elected for Ward 2 and Ward 4 and for the second at-large position on the first Saturday in May 1999. Provides that commissioners elected at the 1997, 1999, and subsequent elections serve four-year terms. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.