SRC-JEC S.B. 1061 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1061 77R809 DRH-DBy: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 3/14/2001 As Filed 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. As proposed, 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.