SRC-JXG S.B. 289 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 289
76R4026 CAG-DBy: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
3/4/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not require an election to be held for proposed
annexation of a certain area. Residents of Houston's extraterritorial
jurisdiction (ETJ) seek the right to determine whether their area should be
annexed. S.B. 289 would allow residents of Houston's ETJ to vote on
annexation by the City of Houston.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 289 requires voter approval for proposed annexations by
certain municipalities. 

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 43B, Local Government Code, by adding Section
43.0215, as follows: 

Sec. 43.0215. VOTER APPROVAL OF ANNEXATION REQUIRED. Provides that this
section applies to a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more.
Prohibits the municipality from annexing an area for full or limited
purposes unless under certain conditions exist. Prohibits the municipality
from annexing any portion of the area before the 10th anniversary of the
date of the election, if a majority of votes received in the election
disapprove the annexation. Provides that this section does not apply to
annexation of an area if under certain conditions exist. Requires the
municipality to mail notice of the date of the election and the area
proposed to be annexed to all registered voters in the proposed area.
Requires the municipality to pay the cost of holding the election and
mailing notice of the election to registered voters.  

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.