SRC-SEW H.B. 3193 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3193
77R10904 DRH-FBy: Puente (Madla)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

With the release of Census 2000 data, official population counts in some
large urban areas have increased dramatically. This fact raises several
public policy concerns. First, a large number of constituents in a city
council district may make it difficult for each council member to
effectively represent that member's constituents. Second, each district
must retain equal populations to support the constitutional law concept of
one personone vote. Lastly, without redrawing district lines to ensure that
each ethnic group is equally represented, a city could violate the Voting
Rights Act and face federal government intervention. H.B. 3193 authorizes
certain municipalities to increase by ordinance the number of single-member
governing body districts to a maximum of 14.  

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 Chapter 26C, Local Government Code, by adding Section
26.046, as follows: 
 
Sec. 26.046.  SIZE OF GOVERNING BODY:  CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. Provides
that this section applies only to certain municipalities.  Authorizes the
municipality, notwithstanding a charter provision to the contrary, to
provide by ordinance for the number of districts used to elect members to
the municipality's governing body.  Prohibits the ordinance from providing
for more than 14 districts.  Provides that this section does not affect a
mayor who, under a charter provision, is elected in a municipality at
large. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.