BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.S.B. 253
By: Gallegos (Janek)
March 20, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

The Harris County Road Law was originally passed by the Texas
Legislature in 1913 as a "special law" to outline various duties
and powers granted to the Harris County commissioners court for the
development and maintenance of roads and related transportation
needs.  The Road Law has never been codified into the civil
statutes or the Local Government Code.

Section 7 of the Road Law, which requires the Harris County
commissioners court to meet each Monday at 10:00 a.m. conflicts
with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, and
Chapter 81, Local Government Code.  Section 81.005(g), Local
Government Code, permits a commissioners court to meet at periodic
intervals other than weekly.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 253 requires meetings of the Harris County
commissioners court to adhere to the Open Meetings Act.
 
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 Section 7, Chapter 17, Special Laws, Acts of the
33rd Legislature, 1913 (Harris County Road Law), to require
meetings of the commissioners court of Harris County to be in
accordance with the Open Meetings Act (Chapter 551, Government
Code) and any other statutes applicable to meetings of the
commissioners court.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.
 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The committee substitute has the same substantive effect as the
original bill. The committee substitute puts the original bill into
Legislative Council draft form.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SB 253 was considered by the Committee on County Affairs in a
public hearing on 3/8/95. Representative Janek opened. SB 253 was
left pending. SB 253 was laid out as pending business and
considered by the County Affairs Committee in a public hearing on
3/15/95. Representative Janek opened. The County Affairs Committee
considered a complete committee substitute for SB 253. The
substitute was adopted without objection. SB 253 was reported
favorably, as substituted, with the recommendation that it do pass
and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
Calendars, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.