SRC-AXB S.B. 412 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 412
76R1633  JSA-DBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
3/5/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Constitution requires the Judicial Districts Board
(JDB) to make a statewide reapportionment of judicial districts, if the
Legislature fails to do so within a certain deadline. However, if the JDB
is unsuccessful, the reapportionment responsibility falls to the
Legislative Redistricting Board.  Abolishing the Judicial Districts Board
avoids a worst-case scenario in which both agencies fail to carry out the
redistricting process.  This bill would abolish the Judicial Districts
Board and replace it with the Legislative Redistricting Board, and
streamline the responsibilities of the new board. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 412 abolishes the Judicial Districts Board, and replaces
it with the Legislative Redistricting Board while streamlining the new
board's responsibilities.  Additionally, it deletes text charging the
abolished board with reapportionment responsibilities. 

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 24.942(1), Government Code, to redefine "board"
and sets forth that the Legislative Redistricting Board (board) is
established by Section 28, Article III, Texas Constitution. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 24.943 and 24.944, Government Code, to make a
conforming change, and delete text relating to reapportionment orders and
responsibilities of the board. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 24.945(e), Government Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 24.946, Government Code, to require the board to
meet in accordance with Section 7a, Article V, Texas Constitution.
Requires a peace officer to serve a subpoena issued by the board on the
request of the presiding officer of the board, rather than the chairman.
Deletes text requiring certain actions of the board regarding
reapportionment work completion dates. 

SECTION 5.  Repealer:  Section 24.947, Government Code (Reapportionment
Orders). 

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  January 1, 2000, if the constitutional
amendment to abolish Judicial Districts Board is abolished.  Provides that
this Act has no effect if voters do not approve this constitutional
amendment proposed by the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999. 

SECTION 7.  Emergency clause.