HBA-CBW H.J.R. 95 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 95 By: Deshotel Redistricting 4/5/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Constitution requires the legislature to redistrict the state into state senatorial and representative districts. Given that the regular legislative session begins in January and ends in May and that the United States Census Bureau statistics are not usually released until April, lawmakers have minimal time to complete a redistricting plan. A special legislative session may allow lawmakers to complete the redistricting process without hindering the completion of other legislative matters. As proposed, House Joint Resolution 95 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment requiring the governor to call a special session no later than the 10th day after the last day of the regular session to provide for the redistricting of the state's legislative and congressional districts if the legislature fails to do so during the regular session. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Joint Resolution 95 amends the Texas Constitution to require the governor to call the legislature into special session, to convene not later than the 10th day after the last day of the regular session, to enact laws to redistrict the state's senate, representative, or congressional districts if, at the conclusion of the regular session, the legislature has not enacted into law a redistricting plan. The resolution prohibits legislation on other subjects from being considered in the special session unless designated in a proclamation by the governor. The resolution prohibits the special session from exceeding 60 days in duration. The resolution provides that if the legislature, during the special session, fails to enact laws to redistrict the state's senate or representative districts, the Legislative Redistricting Board of Texas (board) is required to provide for the redistricting. The resolution requires the board to provide for the redistricting, not later than the 45th day after the date of the adjournment of the special session. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 6, 2001.