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.