SRC-HRD, JRN C.S.S.B. 1211 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1211
By: Ogden
Intergovernmental Relations
4-3-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the law prohibits commissioners courts in counties with
populations of less than 350,000 from meeting in any place other than the
county courthouse or county building used for commissioners meetings.
Some commissioners in counties with populations of less than 350,000
persons may wish to meet at other locations when they are holding a joint
meeting with the governing body of another political entity in the county.
This bill removes the 350,000 population requirement and allows
commissioners to hold joint meetings with other governing bodies of
political entities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1211 allows county commissioners to hold joint
meetings with other governing bodies of political entities; removes a
population requirement for the county. 

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 Article 81.005(c), Local Government Code, to require the
term meeting of a commissioners court to be held at the regular meeting
place of another political subdivision if the commissioners court meets
with the governing body of that political subdivision located wholly or
partly within the county and the regular meeting place of that political
subdivision is in the county. Requires the term to be held at a meeting
place in the county in a building owned by another political subdivision
located wholly or partly in the county under certain conditions.  Requires
the term to be held at a meeting place in the county in a building owned
by the county under certain conditions. Deletes text requiring the
commissioners court to serve a county with a population of 350,000 or
more.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends proposed Section 81.005(c)(3), Local Government Code, to make
formatting and nonsubstantive changes.   

Amends Section 81.005(c), Local Government Code, to add Subdivision (4)
regarding the holding of the term at a meeting place in the county in a
building owned by another political subdivision located wholly or partly
in the county under certain conditions. 

Amends Section 81.005(c), Local Government Code, to add Subdivision (5)
regarding the holding of the term at a meeting place in the county in a
building owned by the county under certain conditions.