BWH C.S.H.B. 404 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
C.S.H.B. 404
By: West, George "Buddy"
3-26-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

Section 146.052, Agriculture Code, provides for the office of county
inspector of hides and animals in several named counties, including Ector
County.  The inspector records the characteristics of each hide from a
slaughtered animal, and files this information with the county clerk's
office.  The sheriff of the county assumes the duties of the inspector, if
the office of inspector is vacant or abolished.  Before the present
inspector took office in Ector County, the position was last filled in
1924.   

PURPOSE

If enacted, this bill would abolish the office of inspector of hides and
animals for Ector County. 

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(a).  Amends Subsection 146.052(a), Agriculture Code by striking
Ector County from the list of counties to which the subchapter applies;
and 

SECTION 1(b) transfers all records in the possession of the office of
inspector of hides and animals in Ector County to the county clerk, and
transfers all funds in the possession of inspector of hides and animals in
Ector County to the county treasury. 

SECTION 2(a) provides that a county-wide election on the issue be called
by the commissioners court, and conducted on November 3, 1998.  Specifies
ballot language. 

SECTION 2(b) requires the county to report the election results to the
secretary of state. 

SECTION 3(a) establishes the effective date of the Act as September 1,
1997, unless an affirmative vote under SECTION 2.(a) occurs. 

SECTION 3(b) provides for an effective date of January 1, 1999 upon
affirmative vote on the proposition.  A negative vote would negate SECTION
1. of the Act. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency Clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute changes the original as follows:
 1) SECTION 1 of the original is now SECTION 1 (a) of the substitute;
 2) SECTION 2 of the original is now SECTION 1(b) of the substitute;
 3) New SECTION 2(a) provides that a county-wide election on the issue be
called by the commissioners court, and conducted on November 3, 1998.
Specifies ballot language; 

  4) New SECTION 2(b) requires the county to report the election results
to the secretary of state; 
 5) SECTION 3 of the original is now SECTION 3(a), and is amended to
establish the effective date of the Act as September 1, 1997, unless an
affirmative vote under SECTION 2.(a) occurs; and 
 6) New SECTION 3(b) provides for an effective date of January 1, 1999
upon affirmative vote on the proposition.  A negative vote would negate
SECTION 1. of the Act.