SRC-JRN H.B. 2335 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2335 By: Smith (Harris) Intergovernmental Relations 5-8-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Crime Control and Prevention District Act empowers certain counties and municipalities within the state to raise revenue via a local sales tax which can be used to fund crime prevention measures. According to the law, any municipality or county which has created a crime control and prevention district is required to hold a public referendum every five years in order to continue the crime prevention programs; the current statute does not give local governments discretion to change the time requirement of the five-year sunset provision. This bill authorizes certain governing entities to determine the number of years for which a crime control and prevention district should be continued. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2335 authorizes certain governing entities to determine the number of years for which a crime control and prevention district should be continued. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 8.01, Article 2370c-4, V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection (d), to authorize the board of directors (board) of the crime control and prevention district (district) or commissioners court to specify the number of years for which a district should be continued, in a county with a population of one million or more. Authorizes the governing body of a municipality with a population of 75,000 or less that creates a district under Section 1.05A of this Act to specify the number of years for which the district should be continued. Authorizes the board, commissioners court, or governing body of a municipality to continue a district only for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. Requires the ballot to be printed in a certain manner to permit voting for or against the proposition in a certain manner for a continuation referendum under this subsection. SECTION 2. Amends Section 10.01, Article 2370c-4, V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection (c), to provide that Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to a district that is continued under Section 8.01(d) of this Act, and that district is dissolved on the expiration of the period for which it was continued. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.