SRC-JJJ S.B. 156 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 156 76R1493 DRH-DBy: Lindsay Infrastructure 4/13/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, there are nine members comprising the Houston Metro Board; five members are appointed from Houston, and four members appointed from Harris County, leaving a majority in favor of Houston. The majority often makes decisions that are at odds with the rest of the county, especially with regard to the availability of public transportation. S.B. 156 would establish provisions regarding the conversion to an elected board of certain mass transit authorities. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 156 establishes provisions regarding the conversion to an elected board of certain mass 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 Chapter 451K, Transportation Code, by adding Section 451.5022, as follows: Sec. 451.5022. ELECTED BOARD: CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. Provides that this section applies only to the board of an authority in which the population of the principal municipality is more than 1.2 million. Requires the authority to be divided into 11 districts to elect members to the board. Specifies the parameters for district size and population. Requires the districts to be drawn by an eight-member panel composed of certain individuals. Authorizes a member of certain governing bodies to be appointed to the panel. Requires the panel to redraw districts at certain times. Entitles each district to elect one member to the board. Sets forth requirements for candidates. Establishes the election process for becoming a member of the board. Requires members to serve staggered four-year terms on the board, and establishes the length of terms. Sets forth provisions regarding a board vacancy. Prohibits a person from serving more than 12 years. Specifies fees that may be paid to board members for attending meetings. Defines "principal county." SECTION 2. Provides that this section applies only to an authority in Section 451.5022, Transportation Code. Requires the panel to draw the districts no later than September 15, 1999. Requires the first election for board members to be November 2, 1999. Specifies that at the initial meeting of the board lots shall be drawn to determine length of terms. Requires six members to serve four-year terms and the remaining to serve two-year terms. Provides that the terms of all members serving on the board on December 31,1999, expire on the date when the majority of the members elected to the board have qualified to take office. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.