BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 253 By: Gallegos Intergovernmental Relations 2-15-95 Committee Report (Unamended) 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: 90 days after adjournment.