SRC-SLL H.J.R. 71 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.J.R. 71
By: Homer (Ratliff)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/14/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Constitution specifies three population categories
which determine the minimum and maximum number of county justice of the
peace precincts (precinct), with an exception for Chambers County.  The
upcoming census will require at least three counties to move into a higher
category and will require one county to double its number of current
precincts.  These counties are rural and geographically small and doubling
the numbers of precincts may create a financial burden on their budgets or
cause unnecessary duplication of current services.  H.J.R. 71 would require
the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment raising the
population needed to create additional precincts. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.J.R. 71 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment raising the population needed to create additional
precincts. 

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 18(a), Article V, Texas Constitution, to require
each county in the state with a population of 50,000 or more, rather than
30,000 or more, to be divided into not less than four and not more than
eight precincts.  Requires each county in the state with a population of
18,000 or more but less than 50,000, rather than 30,000, to be divided into
not less than two and not more than eight, rather than five, precincts.
Requires Randall County, notwithstanding the population requirements of
this subsection, to be divided into not less than two and not more than six
precincts. Requires any county that is divided into four or more precincts
on November 2, 1990, to continue to be divided into not less than four
precincts, notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection.
Makes a nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.  Sets forth the
required language of the ballot.