By Harris S.B. No. 937
75R5043 CAG-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the creation of the Texas Advisory Commission on
1-3 Intergovernmental Relations.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding
1-6 Chapter 741 to read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 741. TEXAS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL
1-8 RELATIONS
1-9 Sec. 741.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-10 (1) "Commission" means the Texas Advisory Commission
1-11 on Intergovernmental Relations.
1-12 (2) "Local government" means a political subdivision
1-13 of this state or a combination of political subdivisions of this
1-14 state.
1-15 Sec. 741.002. ESTABLISHMENT. The Texas Advisory Commission
1-16 on Intergovernmental Relations is established as an agency of the
1-17 state.
1-18 Sec. 741.003. PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS. (a) The purpose of the
1-19 commission is to strengthen and improve relationships between the
1-20 state and local governments and to enhance cooperation among local
1-21 governments.
1-22 (b) The commission shall:
1-23 (1) provide a forum for discussion of
1-24 intergovernmental issues;
2-1 (2) conduct and coordinate research on
2-2 intergovernmental issues;
2-3 (3) collect and distribute information on
2-4 intergovernmental issues; and
2-5 (4) publish and distribute research and conference
2-6 reports.
2-7 Sec. 741.004. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission
2-8 is composed of:
2-9 (1) seven members appointed by the governor as
2-10 follows:
2-11 (A) a member of the governor's office;
2-12 (B) a member from the Office of State-Federal
2-13 Relations; and
2-14 (C) a representative of an association of:
2-15 (i) county governments;
2-16 (ii) municipal governments;
2-17 (iii) public school districts;
2-18 (iv) junior college districts; and
2-19 (v) regional councils of government;
2-20 (2) a member of the Senate Committee on
2-21 Intergovernmental Relations appointed by the lieutenant governor;
2-22 and
2-23 (3) a member of the House Committee on Urban Affairs
2-24 appointed by the speaker of the house.
2-25 (b) Service on the commission by a public official is an
2-26 additional function of the official in an advisory capacity and
2-27 does not constitute the holding of a public office.
3-1 (c) A member of the commission serves a two-year term. The
3-2 terms expire September 1 of each odd-numbered year.
3-3 (d) If a house or senate committee specified by this section
3-4 does not exist, the lieutenant governor or speaker, as applicable,
3-5 may appoint any member of the appropriate house who serves on a
3-6 committee with jurisdiction relating to local government.
3-7 Sec. 741.005. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF COMMISSION.
3-8 (a) The members of the commission shall elect a presiding officer
3-9 and a secretary. The officers are elected for a term of two years.
3-10 (b) The commission shall hold at least one meeting every six
3-11 months and at other times that the presiding officer considers
3-12 necessary.
3-13 (c) An agency of the state and any local government shall
3-14 make available to the commission any information or document not
3-15 confidential under law that is requested by the commission and
3-16 shall cooperate with the commission in carrying out its functions.
3-17 Sec. 741.006. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF. (a) The
3-18 University of Texas at Arlington School of Urban and Public Affairs
3-19 shall provide the commission with an executive director and other
3-20 staff necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this
3-21 chapter.
3-22 (b) The dean of The University of Texas at Arlington School
3-23 of Urban and Public Affairs, in consultation with the commission,
3-24 shall appoint the executive director of the commission.
3-25 Sec. 741.007. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES. A member of the
3-26 commission may not receive a salary for service on the commission
3-27 but is entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary
4-1 expenses incurred in performing duties of the commission.
4-2 Sec. 741.008. CONTRACTS. The commission may apply for,
4-3 receive, and expend any appropriation or grant from the state, a
4-4 local government, the federal government, or any other public or
4-5 private source. Funds received under this section shall be managed
4-6 by The University of Texas at Arlington School of Urban and Public
4-7 Affairs and shall be maintained in the accounts of the university.
4-8 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
4-9 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
4-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.