SRC-JXG S.B. 624 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 624
76R6820 CMR-DBy: Harris
Intergovernmental Relations
3/4/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

H.B. 2335, 75th Legislature, made several changes in the operation of crime
control and prevention districts; however, further changes are desired by
crime control and prevention districts, including extending the district
continuation renewal period to large cities; allowing the city council
members to serve as directors of the district; clarifying administrative
procedure laws; and providing a solution for a district that is not
continued by voters. S.B. 624 would clarify existing law on crime control
and prevention districts, and would establish alternatives for renewal
elections.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 624 clarifies existing law on crime control and
prevention districts, and would establishing alternatives for renewal
elections.   

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 363C, Local Government Code, by adding Section
363.1015, as follows: 

Sec. 363.1015. ALTERNATE FORMS OF APPOINTMENT: BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Authorizes the governing body of a municipality or county by resolution to
appoint the governing body's membership as the board of directors of the
crime control and prevention district. Authorizes the governing body of the
municipality or county to create a board by having each member of the
governing body appoint one director to the board, subject to confirmation
by the governing body, in a district for which the board is not appointed
under Subsection (a). Provides that a director appointed under Subsection
(b) serves at the pleasure of the governing body of the municipality or
county, and for a term concurrent with the term of the appointing member. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 363.155, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsection (d), to provide that Subsection (c) does not apply to a district
that contains only one municipality. 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 363F, Local Government Code, by adding Section
363.2515, as follows: 

Sec. 363.2515. CONTINUATION OF DISTRICT: CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.
Authorizes the board or the commissioners court of the county or governing
body of the municipality that created the district to specify the number of
years for which a district should be continued. Authorizes a district to be
continued under Subsection (a) only for five, 10, 15, or 20 years. Sets
forth the required language for a ballot to permit voting for or against
the district. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 363.260(a), Local Government Code, to provide
that if less than a majority of the votes cast in a continuation referendum
are for the continuation of a district or if a majority of the votes cast
in a dissolution referendum are for dissolution of the district, the
district  is dissolved and ceases to operate on the earlier of the last day
of the district's fiscal year; or the 180th day after the date that the
continuation or dissolution referendum is held. 

SECTION 5.(a) Repealer: Section 363.101(c), Local Government Code (Board of
Directors). 

(b) Repealer: Chapter 1248, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session,
1997 (Regarding membership on the governing body of a municipality or
county; sets forth requirements for the board of directors of a crime
control and prevention). 

(c) Provides that to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over
another Act of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, relating to
nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes. 

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.