JBM H.B. 3540 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


NATURAL RESOURCES
H.B. 3540
By: Price
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

In 1949, the 51st Legislature, Regular Session, created the Port of
Beaumont Navigation District of Jefferson County.  Section 10, Chapter
147, of the enabling legislation provided that the port district shall, at
all times, be comprised of four wards so that each ward within said
district shall contain as nearly as possible the same number of electors.
Additionally, Section 9, Chapter 147, states, "each ward is entitled to
representation on the Board of Port Commissioners by a resident of the
ward." 

Although there are four wards and each ward is entitled to representation
on the Board by a resident of that ward, all six Board members are
currently elected at-large.  This undermines the principles of equal
representation among wards. 

Additionally, Board members now are elected for a term of six years.  Not
only is this amount of time excessive, it is longer than the term of any
other publicly elected official. 

PURPOSE

To guarantee equal representation among the four wards and limit a Board
member's term to four years.  One commissioner shall be elected from each
of the four wards by the qualified voters of that ward.  The two remaining
commissioners shall be elected at-large by the qualified voters of the
district. 

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 Sections 9 (a) and (d), Chapter 147, Acts of the 51st
Legislature, Regular   Session, 1949, to provide for four year terms, with
the terms of three     commissioners expiring every two years.
Additionally, four commissioners   will be elected by the residents of
each ward and two commissioners will be   elected at-large. 

SECTION 2. Provides for an election of all six board members on the first
Saturday in May   1999, with the elected persons drawing lots to determine
initial term length to   phase in new election requirements. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.