SRC-SEW C.S.S.B. 738 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   C.S.S.B. 738
77R7820 JMG-DBy: Bivins
Intergovernmental Relations
3/6/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, small towns have difficulty finding people to fill municipal
positions such as firefighters, police reserve members, or EMS volunteers.
Some members of the governing body may wish to fill these positions by
serving in these volunteer capacities; however, current law does not allow
for this type of dual service.  C.S.S.B. 738 allows a governing official in
a municipality with a population of less than 10,000 to serve as a
volunteer for an organization that protects the health, safety, or welfare
of the municipality, provided the governing body adopts a resolution
allowing governing officials to do so. 

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 the heading to Chapter 21, Local Government Code, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 21. New heading: GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING GOVERNING BODY OF
MUNICIPALITY 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 21A, Local Government Code, by adding Section
21.002, as follows: 

Sec. 21.002. MEMBERS OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL GOVERNING BODIES MAY VOLUNTEER.
Provides that this section applies only to a municipality with a population
of less than 10,000. Authorizes a member of the governing board of a
municipality to serve as a volunteer for an organization that protects the
health, safety, or welfare of the municipality, regardless of whether the
organization is funded or supported in whole or part by the municipality,
if the governing body adopts a resolution allowing members of the governing
body to perform such service. 

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

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  No changes in text.

SECTION 2. Amends As Filed S.B. 738, proposed new Section 21.002, Local
Government Code, to authorize governing officials to perform volunteer
services if the governing body adopts a resolution allowing members of the
governing body to perform such services. 

SECTION 3.  No changes in text.