SRC-CTC H.B. 2459 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2459
77R6879 JSA-DBy: Ehrhardt (West, Royce)
Education
5/3/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires certain community college boards of trustees (board)
to divide into seven or nine equal trustee districts.  Many community
college districts in metropolitan areas of the state already have nine
trustees, rather than the required seven.  Due to the growing population in
many metropolitan areas, community members in districts with seven trustees
believe that an increased number of trustees would better represent
community interests.  Current statutes need to be clarified to allow
certain districts to increase their membership.  H.B. 2459 requires the
board to redivide the district into the appropriate number of districts
with an equal number of inhabitants in each district. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 130.040, Education Code, to provide an exception
to this section. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 130.0821(b), (c), and (e), Education Code, as
follows: 

 (b) Makes a conforming change.

(c) Requires members of the board of trustees of the district to serve for
staggered terms of six years with the terms of one-third of the members,
rather than two or three, as nearly as may be, expiring in each
even-numbered year. 

(e) Requires the board of trustees (board), within 90 days following the
effective date of an order or resolution of the board to increase the
number of board members, to redivide the district into the appropriate
number of trustee districts as increased.  Requires each trustee district,
at the next district election following the redivision of the district
under this subsection, to elect a member of the board.  Requires the
members elected to draw lots for the appropriate number of two-year,
four-year, and six-year terms as needed to establish staggered terms as
required by Subsection C.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.