SRC-TNM S.B. 1790 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1790
By: Wentworth
Intergovernmental Relations
4-6-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, a metropolitan transit authority created by a municipality that
has a population of more than 60,000 in a metropolitan area of more than
1.2 million has a board consisting of five members. Up to six additional
members are permitted depending upon population distributions throughout
the authority.  If less than 50 percent of the population of the principal
county, excluding the principal municipality, reside in the authority, the
board has two additional members, for a total of seven.  Five of the
members are appointed by the principal municipality, one is appointed by a
panel of the other cities in the authority and the county judges of the
counties having unincorporated area in the authority, and one by the
commissioners court of the principal county.  The board composition could
result in cities in a non-principal county of the authority having no
representation on the board.  S.B. 1790 outlines provisions regarding the
composition of the board of directors of certain metropolitan transit
authorities. 
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1790 outlines provisions regarding the composition of
the board of directors of certain metropolitan transit authorities. 

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 451.501, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (g), to provide that this section does not apply to the board
of a metropolitan transit authority (authority) described by Section
451.5021(a). 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 451.502, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (f), to make a conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 451K, Transportation Code, by adding Section
451.5021, as follows: 

Sec. 451.5021. BOARD COMPOSITION; CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. Provides that this
section applies only to the board of an authority (board) confirmed before
July 1, 1985, in which the principal municipality has a population of less
than 750,000.  Sets forth the composition of the board.  Provides that a
panel appointing a member under this section operates in the manner
prescribed by Section 451.503.  Provides that a member appointed under
Subsection (b)(5) is nominated by the presiding officer and confirmed by
the governing body of the organization.  Defines "principal county." 

SECTION 4. (a) Provides that this section applies only to the board of
directors of a metropolitan transit authority created before July 1, 1985,
by a municipality with a population of less than 750,000. 

(b) Requires the governmental entities entitled to make additional
appointments under Section 451.5021, Transportation Code, as added by this
Act, to make the initial appointments as soon as practical after the
effective date of this Act. 
 
(c) Authorizes the board to reduce the length of the term of a person
initially appointed under Subsection (b) of this section to allow for
staggered terms. 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.