SRC-HRD S.B. 127 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 127
By: Galloway
Intergovernmental Relations
2-6-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law grants certain cities the right to annex territory
within their extraterritorial jurisdiction in otherwise unincorporated
areas, without requiring citizens in the annexed areas to vote on the
annexation.  This bill requires municipalities with a population over 1.6
million to gain voter approval in both the municipality and in the area in
which annexation is proposed.  In addition, rejection of such a measure by
either entity would prevent the area from being annexed for 10 years.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 127 requires a municipality, with a population over 1.6
million, to gain voter approval in both the municipality itself and an
area to be annexed, in order for the municipality to annex the area.   

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 Chapter 43B, Local Government Code, by adding Section
43.0215, as follows: 

Sec. 43.0215.  VOTER APPROVAL OF ANNEXATION REQUIRED IN CERTAIN
MUNICIPALITIES.  Provides that this section applies to a municipality with
a population of 1.6 million or more.  Sets forth requirements regarding
the annexation by a municipality of an area for full or limited purposes.

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 43C, Local Government Code, by adding Sections
43.0541 and 43.0542, as follows: 

Sec. 43.0541.  ANNEXATIONS BY MUNICIPALITY WITH POPULATION OF MORE THAN
1.5 MILLION.  Sets forth provisions regarding the annexation by a
municipality with a population of more than 1.5 million of a strip of area
following the course of a road, highway, river, stream, creek, or other
natural or constructed feature.   

Sec. 43.0542.  FAILURE OF MUNICIPALITY TO PROVIDE WATER OR SEWER SERVICES.
Provides that if a municipality fails to provide water or sewer services
to an annexed area before the 10th anniversary following the date of
annexation, a municipal ordinance or other municipal regulation has no
effect in the annexed are until the services are provided.  Provides that
Subsection (a) does not permit a municipality to discontinue providing any
other municipal service to the annexed area.   

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.  
  Effective date:  upon passage.