SRC-JEC S.B. 1061 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1061
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
6/20/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) may only
conduct an election for the purpose of issuance of bonds payable from taxes
or for imposition of a tax.  S.B. 1061 authorizes the Metro to conduct an
election to determine the voters' will on any issue that the Metro board is
authorized to decide. 

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 451B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
451.072, as follows: 

Sec. 451.072.  GENERAL AUTHORITY TO CALL ELECTION:  CERTAIN AUTHORITIES.
(a)  Provides that this section applies only to an authority in which the
principal municipality has a population of more than 1.2 million. 

(b)  Authorizes the board of an authority to call an election to determine
the voters' will on any issue that the board is authorized to decide under
this chapter or on the exercise of any discretionary power of the board
under this chapter.  Requires the board, at the time it orders the
election, to specify whether the results of the election are binding on the
authority. 

(c)  Requires the board to specify the ballot proposition for an election
called under this section.  Provides that a ballot proposition is approved
if a majority of the voters voting at the election favor the proposition. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.