BWH H.B. 718 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
H.B. 718
By: Bosse
2-21-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 Section 794.033 (e), Health and Safety Code stipulates that to be
eligible for appointment of fire commissioner in certain districts with a
population of 450,000 or more, an individual must be a resident of that
district.  Individuals who are not residents, yet own businesses and
property and have a vested interest in these districts, are not allowed to
serve as a fire commissioner. Changing the requirements to make property
owners eligible for appointment would expand the pool of qualified and
interested individuals. 

PURPOSE

 To amend Section 794.033 (e), Health and Safety Code to include owners of
real property in the rural fire prevention district as those eligible to
serve as a fire commissioner. 

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.  Amends Section 794.033(e), Health and Safety Code to make the
owner of real property in a rural fire prevention district in a county
with a population of 450,000 of more that has not established a public
heath district under Chapter 121, Health and Safety Code eligible for
appointment to the district's board. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency Clause.