SRC-JRN C.S.S.B. 236 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   C.S.S.B. 236
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
2-20-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, there exists no law enforcing the voting rights for qualified
voters in annexed municipal areas.  The concern is that residents will be
precluded from participating in a city election because of pending
approval by the United States Department of Justice.  S.B. 236 provides
for the enforcement of voting rights in annexed municipal areas by making
void any election held where qualified voters are not allowed to vote. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 236 protects the voting rights of qualified voters
in annexed municipal areas. 

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 43Z, Local Government Code, by adding Section
43.905, as follows: 

Sec. 43.905. Prohibits a municipality that annexes an area from conducting
an election under certain conditions and from imposing taxes during a
certain period, unless the municipality is notified that the annexation
has received preclearance from the Department of Justice.  Sets forth
conditions for which this section does not apply to an annexed area. Sets
forth types of elections to which this section does not apply. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1, Section 43.905, Local Government Code, to delete
proposed changes to Section 43.905; to prohibit a municipality from
conducting an election and imposing taxes under certain conditions; to set
forth provisions to which this section does not apply; and to set forth
types of elections to which this section does not apply.